Spaces converted

The Lippard book mentions a few examples of historical buildings turned into something new, with a new use. A few other readings have also made reference to these spaces converted into new uses. In the landscape architecture world, there is a growing movement (much linked with the environmental movement) of taking abandoned, forgotten places and converting them into something new, so as to reflect on the past while celebrating the present.

One example of this is Gas Works Park in Seattle. It used to be a coal gasification plant owned by the Seattle Gas Co. in 1962. From the plant use, the soil and groundwater became contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and petroleum (tar). Richard Haag, in collaboration with a bunch of other activists, historians and politicians, capped the site, started bioremediation and converted the site into a new use.

Now the site has a big hill popular for kite flying, a childrens park and trails and paths walking right through that piece of industrial history.


Another example is the Landschaftspark in Germany redone by Peter Latz and Associates. They preserved all the machinery and industrial fascination, while cleaning up the contamination and adding human life. You can now experience underwater diving in the old water gasholder, children's rock climbing among the wreckage, nature trails, a highwire experience, and several German festivals that are held on the historical site.