The weight and memory of historic buildings imparts credibility and permanence to adaptive re-use programs. Perhaps the most sustainable design of all, adaptive re-use shall harness the inherent beauty of these structures and exploit the tension of their new, contemporary use to create vibrant urban spaces.

This master planning and programming process for a historic prison in Norristown, Pennsylvania (approximately 30 min north of Philadelphia) was for a consortium of investors, developers, and non-profit representatives seeking to re-purpose the magnificent structure that had been neglected for thirty years when a new prison opened nearby. Analyzing the physical state of the facility, the adjacency to mass transit and relevant audience, Studio Modh produced a report to assist the team in seeking further support from local municipal leaders and investors. The master plan - using precedent analysis from similar projects at the Michener Art Museum (a former prison), MassMoCA in an old industrial river town, and others - sought to create a viable live/work space for artists beside public social spaces that would celebrate the creative content and aid in the revitalization of the once thriving industrial city.

Norristown, PA

Concept