# Jagged Architecture The Factory Arts Center is at the Cutting Edge of Public Structures By Alex Scott | Published 2010-03-17 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/factory-arts-center References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2010/03/11/factory-by-marks-barfield-architects/) & [marksbarfield](http://www.marksbarfield.com/) Once one of the largest car manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom, the Factory Arts Center has received a dramatic face-lift and has been rebuilt from the ground up to become Birmingham's biggest youth recreation area. Complete with dance studios, recording studios, cafes and sports facilities, this building has become a mecca for creative minds. Designed by Steven Chilton of Marks Barfield Architects, who is most known for building the London Eye, the Factory Arts Center is built from fiber-reinforced concrete walls and features a plywood interior. Definitely not like the youth centers from my home city! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Youth Recreation Centers:** The rise of youth recreation centers that incorporate creative facilities such as dance studios and recording studios can serve as a disruptive innovation opportunity for the recreation industry. - **Revitalized Factory Spaces:** The use of old factories for purposeful public spaces such as the Factory Arts Center presents an opportunity to utilize previously abandoned urban structures as community assets. - **Jagged Architecture Design:** The use of jagged and highly unique and innovative architectural designs using materials such as fiber-reinforced concrete and plywood can serve as an opportunity for the construction and architecture industry to create visually arresting facilities. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Recreation:** The recreation industry can innovate by creating youth recreation centers that cater to both physical fitness and creative endeavors. - **Real Estate:** The real estate industry can take advantage of abandoned factories and repurpose them into valuable community centers. - **Construction and Architecture:** The construction and architecture industry can experiment with uncommon materials and more unique designs inspired by the Factory Arts Center to create highly memorable public structures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Exposed Concrete Factory Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mallcom-factory.md) - [Refreshed Red Brick Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nanjing-combat.md) - [Industrial Landmark Stadiums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/powerhouse.md) - [Repurposed Factory Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tengbom.md) - [Terracotta-Clad University Faculties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feiden-clegg-bradley.md) - [Futuristic Factory Rooftop Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ark-extension.md) - [Textural Brick Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beam-cultural-center.md) - [Structural Concrete Arts Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nanchang-oct.md) - [Ice Factory-Transformed Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ifbe.md)