Hess Auction House
Manheim, PA // Adaptive Re-Use // 2004
With a stipulation to transform a historic Lancaster county bank barn into an inviting public auction facility, the owner also challenged the firm to provide an architecturally relevant solution to his fundamentally utilitarian problem. Using the lower level as the public auction house, the effort focused on an attempt to highlight the enduring, rustic character of the stone and timber barn structure, while de-emphasizing the proposed architectural interventions. By interjecting exposed structural steel shoring members, stained, polished concrete floors, and industrial lighting treatments, the interior comes alive with a tactile and materially engaging character. Upon its completion, the gambrel end will feature an illuminated, 30′ high, hand-painted mural of the auctioneers and their wares.