Firm’s Adaptive Re-Use Design Transforms Vacant Warehouse
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has recognized the firm MABU, with a Merit Award in the Unbuilt category in recognition of its work designing the transformation of a vacant 14,500 square foot warehouse into a community center.
Continuing the efforts to rebuild the Jersey Shore in the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction, MABU’s design offers a flexible mix of community, arts, and entertainment uses, in combination with a farm-to-table restaurant, rooftop farm and beer garden. Located in Long Branch, NJ, one block from the beach, which is within both a flood zone and urban redevelopment zone, the project takes on the challenge of delivering economic growth in an environmentally at-risk location.
The design was conceived as a catalyst for change within a no-man’s-land located between an active waterfront and an abandoned downtown core. The alternative approach to redevelopment proposes a phased design intervention involving major demolition and salvage, along with minor repairs and alterations. The existing buildings are to be reconfigured via a series of new spatial and material figures that include the integration of existing, partially deconstructed, and new structures, the extensive reuse of salvaged materials, and creation of an elevated, public space network.
"The innovative design conceptualized by MABU is truly remarkable, even in its unbuilt state, with its extensive use of salvaged and recycled materials," said Justin Mihalik, AIA, president of AIA-NJ. "Through the power of reverse construction, MABU was able implement an adaptive reuse strategy to transform this warehouse using creative resourcefulness in which the act of “un-building” is used to re-imagine architecture’s role in redevelopment.”
About the AIA New Jersey Design Awards Program
The AIA-NJ Annual Design Awards program recognizes architectural projects that exhibit design excellence in one of four categories: open (meant for any building type), residential, historic preservation and interior architecture. Projects are further designated as either “built” or “un-built.” To be eligible, projects must be either located in New Jersey or designed by an AIA-NJ architect. Submitted projects are evaluated during the organization’s annual Design Conference by a group of distinguished architects from throughout the country.
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 87,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.
