CONVERSION OF AN ABANDONED AGRICULTURAL GRANARY BUILDING IN FRANKLIN, WI INTO A VISITOR’S CENTER AND OFFICE FOR THE HUNGER TASK FORCE.

The Hunger Task Force FARM is a unique 208-acre urban farm in the suburb of Franklin. During the growing season, The Farm infuses half a million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables into our food bank’s supply, enhancing the nutrition of those who normally rely on canned or nonperishable foods. In addition to its primary mission of providing food, the FARM also offers valuable community outreach and nutritional education programs for students. It also offers opportunities for corporate volunteers to assist agricultural operations and other types of engagement. These activities created the need for a visitor’s center with offices, meeting rooms, and restroom facilities.

The project is conceived as an adaptive re-use of an abandoned brick granary building on the site. The design concept makes use of the existing building to house a meeting room, office / support spaces and a welcome center. A small addition on the east end of the existing building houses toilet facilities and another small addition on the north side of the building creates a new vestibule and main entry point.

A key design feature of the project is the continuous covered deck that spans the entire length of the existing building. Other improvements to the building include new windows, a new polished concrete floor and new MEP systems. In order to keep the existing wood roof structure visible from the interior, a new above-structure insulation system was installed.

The exterior woodwork and exposed framing elements and siding are painted in a creamy white color that complements the existing brickwork. The eastern addition has a masonry base of white glazed brick with an “X-pattern” coursing detail of contrasting color. New glazed clay masonry units were sourced to patch and repair the interior walls of the existing building.

Location
Franklin, Wisconsin.

Size
4,000sf

Status
Completed 2016.

Scope
Building addition, exterior renovations and interior remodeling.