ABSTRACT

Photo borrowed from STLPR/Jorge Calvo

Old buildings are not all equal – some hold high significance for humans while others are just “regular” buildings.  Buildings that hold high significance are often important snapshots of history and when thinking about rehabilitation it is easy to demonstrate why they are worthy of saving.  In Saint Louis, the Lemp Brewery Complex is a beloved work of architecture that many people wish to see rehabilitated due to its role in shaping the city. Construction of the Lemp complex began in the mid 1800's, and at its height the Lemp Brewery was more successful than Anheuser Busch.  With prohibition came the complex's decline, and today many of the original buildings have fallen into disrepair.

In 2020, the west side of the the brewery’s Malt Kiln building collapsed despite years of attempted owner-intervention to stabilize the walls and prevent such an event.  Due to the strict rules of the governing historic district, the building sat in its own rubble for a long time before selective demolition was allowed to begin.  This thesis proposes breathing new life into the Malt Kiln by meshing the remaining ruins with modern technology and design to create a multi-purpose gathering place, by applying thoughtful modern design and specific construction methods to a deteriorating historical buildingin order to create a new community hub that can be functional and beneficial for decades to come.  The new Malt Kiln would be a place people could come to relax and unwind with a beer brewed on site, a place people could host important events, and a place that could provide fresh produce to the neighborhood year-round.  Outside of these uses, there are two more important results of this project: 1. By rehabilitating and modernizing the building, neighborhood morale would be greatly improved simply by beautifying the site.  2.  By modernizing the Malt Kiln and creating access to the underground floors, the public could satisfy their curiosities surrounding the Lemp Brewery and its creators in a safe and educational manner.

This project will provide a space for the community to access fresh produce year-round through the new vertical farm tower in the center of the building, provide a space where the community can learn hands-on about the process of growing produce, and provide many jobs to the surrounding neighborhoods.  Brewing will be brought back to the brewery in the form of a microbrewery on full display throughout the building.  It will also provide space for the community to gather in spaces like the tasting room and the rooftop patios.

To preserve this building in its current state, various structural interventions are required.  Thoughtful space planning allows a piece of history to be accessible by all people through the addition of elevators and planning for proper clearances, among other ADA compliancy items.  The existing brick shell will be highlighted and elevated through the use of modern yet modest finishes and glass.  The new additions to the building will act as a billboard to communicate exactly what the building's purpose is for visitors.  The outcome not only accomplishes the goal of prolonging the life of an iconic work of architecture, but also boosting neighborhood morale, creating a community gathering place, and meshing modernity with history so that the general population can experience the Lemp legacy in a safe and inclusive way.