Industrial renewal

Abstract

With continuous changes in the global economy, buildings once vital in our industrial economy have become obsolete. The Damen Ave site was essential to Chicago’s history for grain storage and transportation industrialization. Changes in society and economic movement require rapid adaptation, forcing many historic or iconic industrial sites to be demolished or forgotten. This thesis will explore rehabilitation as a design method for the adaptive reuse of iconic industrial landmarks. The site on the northeast corner of 29th Street and Demon Avenue will be a new opportunity to pull many culturally different communities together. While each building will serve a specific purpose, the overall focus of the site in total will be on the adaptation of the historic grain silos into residential housing as well as a community music venue. The residential silo form was redeveloped to minimize building disturbance and significant demolition. In contrast, the performance center features intricate perforations to create a continuous open volume. The silo’s curvilinear forms repeat throughout the site in newly designed areas emphasizing their importance and unique forms. Reclaimed steel from existing building structures and machinery will emphasize thoroughfares and points of gathering, creating moments to reflect on the historical and industrial significance of the site.