American design studio ZGF Architects works in collaboration with development group Wexford Science & Technology to reimagine a historic Ford Motor Company factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is now a biomedical research laboratory and is made possible by renovating the existing space and creating a cantilevered addition.
The architects aim to retain most of the original industrial space while also retrofitting the structure and adding more sections to the complex. ZGF principal Deanna Keil speaks to Dezeen about the project, noting that "When approaching the redesign of this iconic building, we were tasked with a big objective: to breathe new life into a 100-year-old existing structure. The client's eagerness to embrace the raw industrial nature is significant because there are moments throughout the building where you can really witness its history."
Image Credit: ZGF Architects
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Adaptive Redevelopment
- Transforming historic structures into modern biomedical research facilities offers opportunities for innovative adaptive reuse design.
- Industrial Aesthetics
- Embracing the raw, industrial nature of existing structures in redesign projects creates opportunities for new, unique aesthetics.
- Sustainable Renovation
- Renovating existing industrial structures for modern uses presents opportunities for innovative sustainable design solutions.
Where This Applies
- Architecture and Design
- Working with developers to reimagine historic structures as modern research facilities requires innovative design solutions in urban architecture.
- Biomedical Research
- Adaptive reuse of existing factories for biomedical research allows for more efficient laboratory spaces and may spark innovation in biomedical research fields.
- Urban Development
- Innovative redevelopment of historic industrial structures offers a unique opportunity for creating modern, sustainable spaces in urban areas.
