Once one of the largest car manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom, the Factory Arts Center has received a dramatic face-lift and has been rebuilt from the ground up to become Birmingham's biggest youth recreation area. Complete with dance studios, recording studios, cafes and sports facilities, this building has become a mecca for creative minds.
Designed by Steven Chilton of Marks Barfield Architects, who is most known for building the London Eye, the Factory Arts Center is built from fiber-reinforced concrete walls and features a plywood interior. Definitely not like the youth centers from my home city!
Jagged Architecture
The Factory Arts Center is at the Cutting Edge of Public Structures
Trend Themes
1. Youth Recreation Centers - The rise of youth recreation centers that incorporate creative facilities such as dance studios and recording studios can serve as a disruptive innovation opportunity for the recreation industry.
2. Revitalized Factory Spaces - The use of old factories for purposeful public spaces such as the Factory Arts Center presents an opportunity to utilize previously abandoned urban structures as community assets.
3. Jagged Architecture Design - The use of jagged and highly unique and innovative architectural designs using materials such as fiber-reinforced concrete and plywood can serve as an opportunity for the construction and architecture industry to create visually arresting facilities.
Industry Implications
1. Recreation - The recreation industry can innovate by creating youth recreation centers that cater to both physical fitness and creative endeavors.
2. Real Estate - The real estate industry can take advantage of abandoned factories and repurpose them into valuable community centers.
3. Construction and Architecture - The construction and architecture industry can experiment with uncommon materials and more unique designs inspired by the Factory Arts Center to create highly memorable public structures.