The Plant
The Plant is an adaptive reuse project that transformed an 1960s abandoned warehouse into an event venue. The building acts as a demonstration space for sustainable architectural practices for Mississippi.
-
Built as a pipe distribution plant in the 1960s, the building was abandoned for over a decade before its recent transformation into a destination for private events in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition to adapting the building and revitalizing the surrounding property, we have also led the effort to put the industrial park, “Fondren Warehouse District,” on the map - creating buzz for legacy businesses servicing the area since the 1940s.
The building exhibits energy conservation through its north facing sawtooth roof, white reflective albedo surfaces, the central courtyard with floor to ceiling windows to absorb indirect sunlight, and large garage door openings to allow wind flow to cool the building during spring and fall.
The rainwater that falls on site is managed through a constructed wetland, bioswale, bioretention planters, a permeable parking lot, and a stormwater cistern. Plants and natural materials are integrated into the building to merge the interior with the exterior landscape.
Biophilic design methods have the ability to enhance physical, emotional, and intellectual well being by providing better air quality, reducing reliance on artificial lighting, inspiring the feeling of connectivity to nature, and boosting creativity. Throughout the design process, we explored the proven theory of biophilia by integrating a variety of native plants and natural materials into the building design to merge the interior with the exterior landscape.
-
2020
-
2-Acre Site
15,000 SF Building
-
Jackson, Mississippi
-
Landscape Architect, Lead Project Designer & Developer, Managing Partner
Travis Crabtree
Project Partners
Ray Neilsen, Jean Adams, Mitch and Shannon Miller
Architecture
WBA Architecture - Construction Documentation
Brand & Web Design, Architecture Photography, Business Development, Venue Director
Ansley Crabtree
Contractor Partners
Brian Whitfield, Beyond Construction, Fountain Construction
Photography
Ansley Crabtree, Travis Crabtree, April Garon Photography
The brand identity for The Plant uses themes of biophilia, the subtropical landscape, industrial artifacts, and sustainable design elements
Tree manages all of the brand elements and business functions at The Plant including the social media marketing, website design, booking management, along with building administrative responsibilities.
Digital storytelling through social media marketing has been a key way to connect a diverse audience and communicate the venue’s unique design.
Through The Plant Venue media, we aim to display natural elements and benefits of biophilia, community-led programming, modern-industrial architecture, and minimalist event design while representing multiple industries.