Armour & Co. an original structure built in the early 1900’s is undergoing rehabilitation in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The City of Birmingham has enforced strong efforts to preserve and re-use the existing buildings from the city’s past, including the previous meat-packing facility, Armour & Co. Officially residing in Birmingham’s Historic District, it is crucial this property speaks to its former character, the character of a previous time and culture. The renovation began back in 2015, more than 100 years after it’s original build, and is expected to be complete in 2021.
Using the parameters set forth by historic guidelines, Birmingham firm, Christopher Architecture & Interiors, cohesively designed the building that complements the original character. The developer of the property worked with the architect to determine a mixed-use occupancy would be best suited for the aged structure. The overall design concept is based around an atrium space punched through the roof located in Armour & Co.’s center. The atrium spans multiple floors, flooding the interior space with natural light. This specific feature allows the residential units to face the interior rather than the exterior of the building for natural light. As a mixed-use occupancy, the residences are situated on the upper floors while reserving the bottom two levels for commercial tenants, including restauranters.
The attention to the minute details is what distinguishes this design from other that are similar. From re-purposed meat smoker doors to adaptive re-use of the original timber and brick, the design pays homage to the original materials and blueprint that provide a revival to Armour & Co. Commercial tenants will have access to custom entry doors, unique restrooms, and a public entry lobby while residents will find modern entry-door technology, operable windows, and a traditional wood flooring. Residents and visitors that enter the building will experience the past and present simultaneously, with hints of old and new design characteristics, that will leave an everlasting impression.