Adaptive reuse of a textile factory in Guebwiller - Meriem Chabani - France

Conversion of factories and facilities of NSC textile company into a mixed-use development including cultural and artistic center, makers space-fab lab, offices, hotel, housing, shops and services, mobility services (bicycle parking, tram and bus stops, parking silo)

The adaptive reuse of the architectural and industrial heritage of the NSC textile factory in the Alsatian town of Guebwiller, France, cultivates a vision for the transformation of cities grappling with post-industrial, socioeconomic realities. Multiple programs address a variety of needs and user groups: a training center provides skilled labor employmentm, shared greenhouses and fab labs allow for research into plant fibers for textiles, covered markets and exhibition spaces provide opportunities for cross-programming with other regional towns, and public spaces open the site to the inhabitants of Guebwiller.

A winner of the Europan 14 international competition, the project creates productive articulations though multiple architectural experiences making use of existing (on-site) know-how and resources, proposing that the productive city is also a desirable one.