This project is a bold public-private initiative to support energy, business and culture. The project aims to synthesize an interest in energy, business and culture by generating a new public and transformative icon along the Ohio River. By re-functionalizing HMP1 and bringing new public amenities to the site, the proposal intends to revitalize a decaying and neglected waterfront and therefore have a positive effect in business and tourism and the region at large.
The newly revitalized structure will include a convention center; hotel, a restaurant and café all within a figural plinth that surrounds the existing power plan building. Located at the center of the organization, the power plan will function as a large multipurpose space for large exhibitions. Publicly accessible, the plinth itself becomes a large urban promenade that will contain landscaping, greenery and amenities such as an outdoor amphitheatre so as to provide a new dynamic experience for the enjoyment of river.
Two boulder-like and prickly masses hold the hotel and ballroom respectively. Emerging from the plinth, these pixilated masses frame visually and physically the existing building creating enough spatial tension while leaving adequate distance between them. Easily accessible by air and ground transportation, Henderson can become a small but significant regional hub taking a leading role within a large group of small industrial cities undergoing a much-needed wave of urban transformation. Visitors as well as residents will be able to experience a rare and unconventional blend of civic use, history and progressive architecture.
The proposal looks to adaptive reuse in a forward-looking way, by re appropriating an existing and significant building while incorporating landscape within it so as to generate a new artificial ground that holds a recognizable and productive cultural icon for the city.
Architect: P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S & UK COD Location: Municipal Power and Light- Station One (HMPL-1) Henderson, Kentucky, USA Project Team: P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S Marcelo Spina and Georgina Huljich, Principals in charge; Bobby Frederick, Daniele Profeta, Project Designers, Mazyar Kahali, Max Wong, Project Assistants / University of Kentucky College of Design Team: Michael Speaks, Dean UK COD, Drura Parrish, Project Coordinator, Carolyn Parrish, Robert Nack and Chris Harris, Design and Research Assistants. Consultants: Don Ershig. Development, Mark Bethel- Zoning, Planning, Development, Butch Branson, Development, John Farris, TIF Package, Tim Skinner, Architecture, Steve McAllister, Cost Estimating, William Markwell, Casey Bolton, TIF Package Questions, Peggy Wood, Planning Project Type: Adaptive Reuse / Convention Center / Hotel / Cultural Venue Size: 70,000 sqf
