Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Where did I put my soapbox?
It was very refreshing to see so many great ideas from my fellow students in studio this past Friday. Nice work guys! I was having a great deal of trouble finding a good place to begin. After hours of aimless sketching I finely found a decent starting point and began to expand on this idea of new materials growing into the existing structure and framework of the building. During a discussion between Ashley and I, we began to use the term “healing over”. The idea of any alterations that are to be made should speak the design language of the 21st century not that of the original mill and how these two come together should respect the materiality of both time periods as well as act as reference points for the additions that are to be made.
I heard a great deal of talk about removing columns and existing walls and floors in order to begin with an absolutely clean slate so to speak. I personally can’t understand how this could be helpful in any way if a designer’s intent is to preserve the history of the mill. After several discussions and debates, (Jimmy and Emily) about to what depth we should exercise historic preservation and its true meaning; I have come to the conclusion that the path I have chosen could have merit as a strong design. As Lynn described, the architecture of the mill was directly related to the function that the space was to be used for. The story of this space should be able to live on and if too much of the original design is compromised then how will anyone ever see it. The machines and workers of the mills yester year are long gone; this past life is just that, in the past. It is now time to begin a new life for Revolution Mill to once again be a beacon of prosperity for the city of Greensboro and the people that call it home. The idea that the new and the old could and should exist in the old Revolution Mill is wonderful and I personally look forward to the great ideas that my classmates and I come up with this semester.
It was very refreshing to see so many great ideas from my fellow students in studio this past Friday. Nice work guys! I was having a great deal of trouble finding a good place to begin. After hours of aimless sketching I finely found a decent starting point and began to expand on this idea of new materials growing into the existing structure and framework of the building. During a discussion between Ashley and I, we began to use the term “healing over”. The idea of any alterations that are to be made should speak the design language of the 21st century not that of the original mill and how these two come together should respect the materiality of both time periods as well as act as reference points for the additions that are to be made.
I heard a great deal of talk about removing columns and existing walls and floors in order to begin with an absolutely clean slate so to speak. I personally can’t understand how this could be helpful in any way if a designer’s intent is to preserve the history of the mill. After several discussions and debates, (Jimmy and Emily) about to what depth we should exercise historic preservation and its true meaning; I have come to the conclusion that the path I have chosen could have merit as a strong design. As Lynn described, the architecture of the mill was directly related to the function that the space was to be used for. The story of this space should be able to live on and if too much of the original design is compromised then how will anyone ever see it. The machines and workers of the mills yester year are long gone; this past life is just that, in the past. It is now time to begin a new life for Revolution Mill to once again be a beacon of prosperity for the city of Greensboro and the people that call it home. The idea that the new and the old could and should exist in the old Revolution Mill is wonderful and I personally look forward to the great ideas that my classmates and I come up with this semester.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
A second industrial revolution for local Greensboro mill
Being familiar with the story of the Cone brothers, Moses and Ceasar and how they transformed the city of Greensboro into a major textile production center of the south in the early 20th century, as well as knowing people that work at the mill today, it seems Revolution Mills would be a special place for me. In the early 1890’s Greensboro began to catch a glimpse of the Cone brothers vision of a textile empire that could bring life to the rural south. The Cone brothers brought there dream to Ashville North Carolina in 1887 but quickly realized that in order to compete with the mills of the north they would need to be located closer to the farms and transportation. This decision brought the brothers to Greensboro where they soon built several mills and finishing facilities. Revolution Mill was built to become the first modern flannel mill in the south and it later became the largest exclusive flannel producer in the world. Operation of Revolution Mill continued until 1982 under the Cone Mills name. Afterwards the mill changed hands several times until early 2003 when Revolution Studios, LLC, purchased the facility. The renovation of the mill has since expanded to a $40 million project including office and residential spaces.
My friend of several years Christine Chapman is a project designer for Revolution Mill Studios and has worked closely with this project for a little over a year now. She is also my roommate so I get to here all of the latest news about what is going on at the mill on a daily basis, (I feel this is about to come in real handy). Also my brother works at the mill on one of the construction teams, so I get to here the story from both sides. He has told me several stories of his time at the mill and about the rich history within this space.
I look forward to having conversations with these two about our upcoming studio work and about what is going on at the mill. I feel that the Cone brothers, who gave so much to the city of Greensboro in the early 1900’s, would be proud to know that their dream was still alive a century later at Revolution Mill.
Being familiar with the story of the Cone brothers, Moses and Ceasar and how they transformed the city of Greensboro into a major textile production center of the south in the early 20th century, as well as knowing people that work at the mill today, it seems Revolution Mills would be a special place for me. In the early 1890’s Greensboro began to catch a glimpse of the Cone brothers vision of a textile empire that could bring life to the rural south. The Cone brothers brought there dream to Ashville North Carolina in 1887 but quickly realized that in order to compete with the mills of the north they would need to be located closer to the farms and transportation. This decision brought the brothers to Greensboro where they soon built several mills and finishing facilities. Revolution Mill was built to become the first modern flannel mill in the south and it later became the largest exclusive flannel producer in the world. Operation of Revolution Mill continued until 1982 under the Cone Mills name. Afterwards the mill changed hands several times until early 2003 when Revolution Studios, LLC, purchased the facility. The renovation of the mill has since expanded to a $40 million project including office and residential spaces.
My friend of several years Christine Chapman is a project designer for Revolution Mill Studios and has worked closely with this project for a little over a year now. She is also my roommate so I get to here all of the latest news about what is going on at the mill on a daily basis, (I feel this is about to come in real handy). Also my brother works at the mill on one of the construction teams, so I get to here the story from both sides. He has told me several stories of his time at the mill and about the rich history within this space.
I look forward to having conversations with these two about our upcoming studio work and about what is going on at the mill. I feel that the Cone brothers, who gave so much to the city of Greensboro in the early 1900’s, would be proud to know that their dream was still alive a century later at Revolution Mill.
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