Adaptive Reuse / Transforming old or unused buildings into functional spaces
Nic Goldsmith FAIA LEED AP, Founding Director of the Lightweight Structures Group at Silman, a TY Lin Company explores lightness as a visual, physical, and sustainable approach using a minimum of materials to impact our planet. Limiting new materials by adaptively reusing as many existing ones as possible is a design challenge that allows for creative and sustainable solutions, reinterpreting our existing building stock to minimize embodied carbon and provide us with new hybrid facilities.
An adaptive reuse process on the waterfront of Bridgeport CT created a complete architectural transformation of an abandoned minor league baseball stadium in an underused neighborhood into a state-of-the-art music facility with international performers. By becoming forensic designers and engineers, the design team examined the existing ballpark stadium and highlighted where additional loads could be located for a new roof to enclose the open field.
Reusing the existing infrastructure, foundations, and seating tiers was critical to the success of reducing carbon in the design process. Adding a new lightweight enclosure was desirable as its negligible weight had little impact on the existing structure, minimizing any additional steel supports. Inserting a gantry walkway 80’ above the field for theatrical lighting and passive ventilation, allowed for the separation of the enclosure into two conjoined structures: a clear span tensile roof for the central space and a framed arch structure acting as a skirt to interface with the existing stadium.
New seating was developed for the orchestra area (former infield) as well as upgraded raised seating for the old stadium bleachers. A stage house was created as a simple arched truss frame with metal cladding to mimic the curve of the fabric roof. Attached to the backstage is a large new back-of-house, including all the necessary elements for the operation of such a venue. The upgraded facility brings value to both the local and music communities and points to how an adaptive reuse approach can be used in many urban and suburban areas as a sustainable renewal process to invigorate old infrastructure.
