421 North

Project Description

Our team took the context of the fluid nature of Rebar and standard coating colors to transform a Fulton Market Warehouse into a private sky-lit office space preserving the bones of a Chicago Bow Truss structure and sustainably prolonging it's life cycle for a Rebar Company.

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.

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.