421 North

Project Description

Our team drew inspiration from the fluid character of rebar and its standard coating colors to reimagine a Fulton Market warehouse as a private, skylit office environment. The design preserves the original Chicago bow‑truss structure, celebrating its historic character while sustainably extending its lifespan for a rebar company’s evolving needs.

Project Details

Location: Chicago, IL

Area: 8,000 SF

Typology: Adaptive Reuse

Client: MA Rebar

Partners

Structural Engineer - Forefront Structural, MEPFP - CCJM, Civil Engineer - Engage Civil

The client requested a non-descript entrance to blend into the historic manufacturing context. We proposed to restor the masonry + incorporate glass block + rebar coating colors to brand the exterior.

Minimal walls separate the unconditioned warehouse from the conditioned offices.

Providing natural light and privacy led to the internal transom glazed design.

Each internal office space receives natural light.

From the lobby to the conference room and into the shop, the design establishes clear sightlines that visually connect the project’s diverse office functions.

1 Initial Concepts
Office volumes get inserted around the skylight.
2 Initial Concepts
Work with the Bowstring Truss geometry to define conditioned + unconditioned spaces.
3 A
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4 B
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5 Entry
Shifting the lobby to a Central Axis delineated warehouse, office + back of house zones.
6 Open to the Sky
Taking advantage of the truss geometry + central skylight brings views + natural light into the central offices.
7 Details
Offsetting the demising walls accentuates the restored Bowstring Truss Structure.
8 First Floor
The central axis draws natural light into the main spatial spine.
9 Second Floor
The mezzanine provides lofted shop workspace, with concealed mechanical zones.
10 Roof
The cross bracing was relocated to provide mezzanine clearances.