Leveraging the latent qualities of existing structures for science and research
PAYETTE is a recognized thought-leader in improving the utilization of existing buildings. Recently completed renovation projects for science research and teaching speak to the level of planning, design and execution of highly constrained, adaptive reuse projects. Each of these projects had to address issues such as: active teaching and research on adjacent floor levels during construction; complex phasing; existing column grids out of alignment with idealized lab modules; envelope deficiencies; and structural challenges associated with meeting new seismic, vibration and floor loading requirements. We eagerly embrace these challenges.
We know how to successfully leverage the latent qualities of an existing structure with a budget-minded design that meets program requirements and is phased to coincide with available funding. An array of innovative sustainability approaches can also be applied to reduce the building’s mechanical infrastructure so that a flexible, contemporary research or teaching environment could be inserted into an older building never intended to accommodate such intensive uses.
Sandrine Héroux, Sophie McKenzie, and Emily Chowdhury are each members of our in-house Fabrication team. Their day-to-day work centers on a simple question: what changes when design becomes something people can physically test?
These women challenge the notion of fabrication as a support service, framing it instead as an essential component of architectural authorship, a way to test ideas, share agency, and widen the boundaries of what architectural practice can include.
In our most recent blog, they discuss their individual paths in architecture and reflect on their experience using fabrication as a tool for fostering shared agency, community engagement and broadening the role of the architect. Link in bio!
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adaptive reuse PROJECTS for science research & teaching
