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.