On April 15, 2019, people from around the globe watched in horror as one of the world’s most renowned historic structures became engulfed in flames. At the time, the Notre Dame Cathedral was undergoing a restoration project, at the center of which were the building’s spire, stonework and roof timbers. The fire started in the cathedral’s wooden attic and was only discovered after the blaze was well underway. 400 firefighters battled with the flames for two hours — the fire was fought from the interior in order to reduce damage to the structure. By the time the fire was under control, the spire and the majority of the cathedral’s roof had collapsed, destroying the vaulted ceiling in the process. Luckily, there were no casualties, and most of the relics and the art within the cathedral were undamaged.
Read MoreBuffet to Benefactor: Transforming a Piccadilly to Goodwill
One of the best parts about our work is experiencing a complete building transformation, from the inside out. The incredible news for us about the urban cities of Alabama is that there are so many older buildings with the potential to be repurposed into something for the community to enjoy. That’s exactly what we found at 2601 East Boulevard in Montgomery, Alabama.
Read MoreThe Value of Repurposing a Space: From Pharmacy to Hamburgers
In a culture of new, shiny, and next big thing, re-purposing a space may seem less than glamorous. For Adams Design Associates, it’s an exciting chance to use existing infrastructure and recreate an entirely new space with a brand new purpose. Looking around the buzzing city of Birmingham, it feels like the city is in a period of growth. Yet, it seems like every block, there are deteriorating, abandoned buildings. The architects at Adams Design Associates have a keen interest in restoring spaces like this for new use.
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