DIS-OBSOLESCENCE:
An Approach to Obsolete Industrial Buildings within the Rust Belt
Masters Thesis Project
THESIS QUESTION -
What is the most appropriate way to reinvigorate obsolete or abandoned industrial facilities in the 21st Century, and how can this strategy but reproduced across the Rust Belt?
STRATEGY -
Using a design approach I call RADICAL JUXTAPOSITION, I will design my own interventions to utilize the Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse in Toledo, Ohio based on community demand along with building and site conditions.
RUST BELT -
The Rust Belt refers to a region in the Midwestern United States characterized by a decline in heavy industrial and manufacturing sectors, resulting in economic stagnation and urban decay. Factors contributing to the Rust Belt’s decline include globalization, deindustrialization, automation, and the shift of manufacturing jobs to areas with lower labor costs. Toledo, Ohio in particular is often considered a Rust Belt city due to its historical reliance on heavy industry and manufacturing, particularly in the automotive and glass industries.
SITE VISITS -
I conducted several site visits to the Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse in both April and July 2023, capturing a wealth of images and experiences. The building’s owner shared the warehouse’s compelling history, shaping my perspective for my final thesis deliverables. The deteriorated state of the Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse inspires a distinct aesthetic that I aim to maintain throughout the project. These site visits provided a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse and its historical significance, a perspective unseen by the public for nearly half a century.
BLUEPRINTS -
During the mentioned site visits, the building’s owner guided me to an office space filled with stacks of original blueprints dating back to 1927. These intricate plans became invaluable references, enabling me to meticulously input every detail of the Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse into SketchUp. They now serve as the cornerstone for developing my design intervention.
RADICAL JUXTAPOSITION -
When two or more architectural elements are placed or located close together with a contrasting effect in a way that makes a user reevaluate any preconceived notions of said architectural elements.
This technique will involve combining disparate styles, materials, forms, or spatial arrangements to create a striking and thought-provoking architectural composition within the GLTW. The goal is to challenge traditional norms, provoke intellectual engagement, and elicit emotional responses from the building users. The resulting architecture will stand out for its uniqueness and ability to spark dialogue about the role of buildings and spaces in our perception of the built environment.
