Abstract
This paper focuses on a post-industrial residential building rehabilitation project. The process of re-conceptualizing the purpose of this spatial configuration is articulated through a photo-essay and technical drawing submission. The existing building, originally built in 1915, has been re-conceptualized as a four-story State Historic rehabilitation project located at 1723 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. The apartment building was originally constructed to accommodate the folks who worked at the Albert Khan Ford assembly plant within one block of the site. Level one is remodeled as residential apartments plus retail space. Level two-four have been remodeled to respect the original spatial configuration of the set of residential apartments. Delving into the issue of atmospheric aesthetics, I discuss the historic characteristics in the context of the new material insertions. Additionally, the building supports an existing billboard armature that has been repurposed as art installation. The work (workaday ghosts) would consist of a series of staggered galvanized conduit and a historic flywheel from the original Argonne elevator. The flywheel represents the industrial age and is a reference to the folks who lived in the Argonne and worked at the Ford assembly plant. The galvanized rods would create a dynamic ghosting effect with respect to reflecting the sky and sun differently throughout the day/year.
Presenters
Peter P. GochéAssistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Iowa State University, Iowa, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Post-industrial, Housing, Atmosphere, Rehabilitation, Design
