David Adjaye's firm Adjaye Associates has released images for the transformation of an old electrical switching station in Newark, New Jersey. The new plans will revive the existing electrical switching station by using a series of art walls, red-painted pre-cast concrete walls, giant columns and geometric canopies at the top of the columns.

The 177,000-square-foot (16,443-square-metre) Fairmont Heights Switching Station is located within a three-story neighbourhood. As the firm is seeking a rooted balance between the existing city fabric and a new design, the old industrial building will get a new makeover to revive the unsightly elements of the building with well-curated art works. 

The 30-foot high (9-meter) walls will feature dozens of art works of 14 local and international artists, exploring the themes of community, youth and education. The 34-foot high red-painted columns, situated along the eastern elevation, will function as a passageway leading visitors to the building. The columns' heads will be made of a geometrically-designed canopies that cast shadows on the walkway. 

This special collection of these art works is cautiously curated according to the changing level of the site by keeping the observer's eye level from the street. Visitors will experience a series of multi-themed art canvas embedded into the facade of the wall, while a canopied walkway will lead visitors to a new gathering space, market and art installations. 

"By providing a platform for 14 incredible artists, the Art Wall transforms a piece of necessary infrastructure into a civic anchor for Fairmount Heights and its community," said David Adjaye, Founder and Principal, Adjaye Associates. 

"This project speaks powerfully to public architecture’s ability, regardless of scale, to enhance the specificity of a place and to enrich the lives of its users. My hope is that it might serve as a model for integrating meaningful public programs into even the most utilitarian urban developments," he added.

Adjaye Associates' design scheme doesn't only pay regard the aesthetic value of revitalisation of the project, the project is being developed by the help of local residents to seek a well-arranged architectural balance between infrastructure of the city and community. Therefore, 30% of the construction is carried out by local residents with a prioritization of locally sourced materials and contracts.

Six of the 14 artists for producing the art works will be selected from Newark, while other artists will be selected from Jamaica and Venezuela.

In this scheme, Adjaye Associates are closely working with local architecture firm WSM Associates, engineering company Garden State Engineering, lighting consultant Regency Lighting, and construction manager Jingoli Construction on this project. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2018. 

All images courtesy of Adjaye Assoicates

> via Adjaye Assoicates