1. Site and Concept
Respecting the historical significance of the Leon Electric Building, the proposed redevelopment prioritizes the preservation of its structural integrity and character. The design introduces green landscapes to the historic warehouse and brownfield site, integrating ecological restoration into the urban fabric. The project is structured around a central axis that guides the transformation of the site. This axis divides the space into two buildings with distinct programs while a meandering pedestrian pathway weaves through wetland and upland terrain, enhancing accessibility and ecological resilience.


2. Design Strategy
The design is centered on creating a vital commuter corridor that links the Upham’s Corner commuter rail station to the downtown district. This connection fosters economic revitalization and cultural enrichment by improving pedestrian and transit access. To further enhance community engagement, the design includes retail and café spaces, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and supporting a vibrant mixed-use environment.


3. Sustainability and Materiality
The project integrates passive design strategies to reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Cross ventilation and daylighting are achieved through strategic facade and floor slab cuts, minimizing the need for artificial heating and cooling. Geothermal wells and photovoltaic panels are incorporated to improve energy efficiency, striving to achieve a low energy use intensity (EUI) in alignment with local, national, and global sustainability goals.

Material reuse is a key component of the project’s sustainability approach. Excess brick from the site is repurposed for hardscaping elements, reducing waste while maintaining the site’s historic character. Efficient mechanical energy systems, including photovoltaic panels and ground source heat pumps, optimize long-term operational savings and minimize construction costs.

Facades are treated differently based on both the historic structure and material and new function of each building:
The facade of the cultural arts building is an overcoat, providing an unbroken insulating thermal layer with a wood veneer over the existing concrete. The concrete is strategically cut to create windows, and reused throughout the site's landscape.
The existing facade of the residential building is replaced with an insulated thermal inner layer and a new brick outer layer between concrete columns and beams. Extracted original brick is used throughout the landscape for gabion retaining walls.

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