a study of wood: the machines of soho

This project presents a renovation strategy for five historical SoHo warehouse buildings facing imminent demolition. The structures, each approximately 6-8 stories high, boast wooden frameworks, and their potential demolition would contribute significantly to New York’s already substantial waste stream. Rather than opting for demolition, this proposal advocates for a transformative approach, aiming to repurpose the buildings and create adaptable, flexible spaces. The wood, constituting the second most wasted Construction and Demolition (C&D) material at 26%, is sourced from the floor joists. It is repurposed to craft partition walls across the occupiable floor plates. The harvested wood undergoes a process of collection, steaming, and bending on-site. Slits in the floor plates facilitate the insertion and removal of the wood panels, allowing for easy reconfiguration when necessary. The outcome is a self-rejuvenating closed-loop system that offers limitless possibilities for reconfiguration, contributing to sustainability and minimizing waste in the built environment.