Ambivalent Roles and Architectural Meaning of Facade, Circulation and Program Found in the Converted Industrial Heritage Buildings

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) Industrial buildings that used to serve cities by supplying electricity, hydraulic power, and manufacturing fell into disrepair when their input became more expensive than their output. As a result, many of these large facilities have been abandoned in central areas of cities. Consequently, they have quickly become large areas of deterioration as well as disuse, and adversely affect the local area as a whole. However, around the same time, these buildings were recognized for their potential in terms of cultural and historical values. Thus, many European cities have successfully regenerated and converted these once-abandoned facilities into vibrant cultural centers. By examining three case projects in the UK, this study aims to outline the significant combinatory factors that play important roles in the conversion of the program of these buildings and the reconfiguration of physical space, thus securing the sustainability and success of a new urban public space. (Method) This research examines the concept and meaning of each project by studying the use of each are before and after the conversion. Many prior studies have examined different types of conversions and the remodeling of idle industrial heritage, concentrating mainly on architectural transformation. In contrast, this paper analyzes the accommodation of diverse programs, the relationship with the new interior spatial organization, and the role of the façade that results in a unique spatial experience. The case projects are further analyzed and compared under three categories: the role of the facade, the entry circulation, and the arrangement of new programs. (Results) Three common and significant, yet ambivalent, results were found. The original facade is preserved entirely although it has little direct relationship with the new programs. There is an “open circulation” in a “closed form” of the preserved facade: the entry circulation is diverse and freely accessible. The program is composed of a combination of commercial, cultural, and food-related programs that are common in urban areas. However, in order to create a unique architectural atmosphere, large voids or interesting stacking methods are introduced. (Conclusions) This paper concludes that 1. the exterior envelope of an old building is maintained to preserve its historical and cultural values, and its strong “industrial” architectural elements also enhance its “uniqueness”; 2. there are numerous connections on the ground level with the local urban context that leads to the successful regeneration of a locality; and 3. the new facilities are stacked inside the old building, as if forming a small city within its walls. Through this study, the above three distinct common characteristics were identified; the combination of these characteristics is the key to the successful conversion of industrial heritage buildings.