The intention was to convert this one-story 1950s “warehouse” building into a multi-family residential space. We liked the idea of a new type of “loft building”; instead of converting an architecturally-significant industrial building into inspired living spaces, the plan was to convert this insignificant building into a thoughtful and sought-after space.

We began with a list of the building: Ceiling height: asset. 1,114 SQM footprint: asset. Intact brick walls surrounding the building: asset. Only five interior columns across the entire footprint:  asset. Prime location on a tracked corner: asset and liability. Beautiful terrazzo floor: asset. A view of the Grand Trunk rail line on the north side: asset. A flat pancake-like shape with no distinct character and little natural light in the middle: liability. Uninspired, nondescript exterior:  liability.

An idea struck—remove sections of roof to create courtyards in the middle of the building, create a special moment and solve the lack of light in the building’s interior. The key to our courtyard plan was the preservation of the terrazzo floor. Instead of discarding the removed floor, we cut it into terrazzo tiles for walkways and benches, placed in interesting patterns to promote wandering walking paths and places to gather.

The landscape architect devised a simple and inspired landscape plan for the building, turning the land sandwiched between the building and the rail line into a park-in-grove, featuring 20 parking spaces with 26 trees. We planted another 26 Gingko trees within the three courtyards. Even though the building was designed to be mixed-use, our inspired design compelled a 50+ person company in downtown Detroit to lease the entire building while we were only 60 percent completed with construction. We changed course.

An office interior was designed to deliver a dynamic range of work and meeting spaces that built upon the amenities of the co-working space they had grown out of while having a stronger outdoor connection. Designed with everything from individual quiet booths and focus rooms, to lounge spaces, meeting tables, breakout areas, and conference rooms. Many spaces are clearly enclosed, others are positioned between elements, or as ‘soft’ lounges of ripstop curtains. The careful positioning of fixed and flexible areas brings natural light to every space while operable windows originally intended for the apartments and sliding glass doors provide the added benefit of natural breezes during warmer months. In Winter, destratification fans reduce energy use while maintaining comfort, with the added benefit of white noise. Lightweight aluminum mesh shading designed for greenhouses provides a south-facing radiant buffer year-round.

A desk inspired by the sturdy trunk and cantilevered limbs of trees was designed and fabricated in Michigan — a single, lightweight metal frame provides the support for wood tops on either side, divided by a piece of felt draped for both privacy and sound absorption, and easily removed when a larger group table is desired. This project has shown that an adaptive reuse project doesn’t need to begin with a significant building, something special can be made from almost anything.

- Text by M1DTW Architects