CHAPTER 3, PART 1: METHODOLOGY (RESEARCH METHODS)

The purpose of this thesis study is to prove that a deteriorating historic building can be transformed into a new community hub through thoughtful design and construction.  The research was done with a pragmatic approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research to gather data that supports this thesis, then a simulation was created to transform the research into a building. 

RESEARCH METHODS

Data was gathered from a variety of on-line and off-line sources including scientific journals, books, historical drawings and maps, historical photos, social media, architectural blogs and websites, product manufacturers, jurisdictional websites, and the International Building Code.  In addition to these sources, site visits were performed to gather information and photos about the existing building conditions, a personal interview was conducted with a local historian, and residents of the area provided their feedback in personal conversations.  All of this data was digitally organized for ease in compiling the most important aspects of each source. 

Throughout the research process, two major issues arose that created barriers to gathering information.  First, as the Malt Kiln is one hundred and fifty years old, the factual information available is dependent on what was preserved long ago.  While there are several historic photographs and detailed perspective drawings available to the public, it is thought that any original building or site plans have been lost.  For this reason, historic textual accounts of the building and site proved to be very valuable.  Second, the site is not easily accessible further than what one can see from the sidewalk that runs along the site.  The Lemp Brewery Complex is privately owned and not open to the public, which creates a barrier for closer observation.  Additionally, the Malt Kiln itself is in ruins and would not be safe to observe from the inside of the building.  This has presented challenges in determining the layout of the remaining ruins.  Despite these difficulties, it is believed that a thorough and complete analysis of the existing building was compiled. 

The early iterations of the hypothesis were all related to the preservation of the Malt Kiln building due to its renown in the local communities, but more information was required to determine what the building should be to the community, which triggered a deductive research process.  The process began with the gathering of information relating to the physical site and the demographics of the surrounding neighborhoods.  Before any designing or programming could be carried out, an accurate existing conditions drawing was required, and any existing local ordinances needed to be known to set the parameters for the design.  Historic and current site plans and maps were utilized to set the site context for the Malt Kiln building, and building rules and restrictions were recorded from the zoning ordinance for the historic district in which it was located. 

Next, the demographics and physical condition of the surrounding neighborhoods were analyzed in order to gain a clear understanding of the needs and wants of the residents in close proximity to this site so that a relevant building use could be determined.  Demographic information was compiled through a variety of public information sources such as city websites, GIS maps, and local organizations demonstrating topics such as race, income, access to vehicles, employment, and access to grocery stores.  The physical conditions of the surrounding area were documented through site visits where personal photographs were obtained as well as referencing online sources such as Google Maps.  Sources such as social media and personal blogs were also utilized for photos and first-hand accounts. 

Once a greater understanding of the site and its surroundings was reached, it was determined that the building would include spaces for leisure, learning, and community outreach.  The next step in the research process involved gathering scholarly articles from databases such as JSTOR.com, books, as well as more technical information from product manufacturers’ websites.  Sources obtained in this manner were discovered by utilizing a wide variety of search terminology.  When a source that seemed to be relevant was found, it would be quickly examined to determine if it was useful to be studied further.  If a source was determined to be necessary to the support of this thesis, it was saved in a digital format so that it could be easily accessible for future reading, referencing, and citing. 

Historical information was compiled from the writings of relevant historical sources ranging from living historians who carry out research in the present day, and historical accounts and photos available in books and online archives.  In addition, a two-hour interview was conducted with a local historian who is an expert on the history of the Lemp family and their brewery.  By analyzing numerous historical sources and comparing them to one another, patterns were determined that helped assert the accuracy of such sources.  When information matched in multiple sources over the same topics, it was concluded that the sources were accurate.  Historical photographs were of great importance to the research as they provided insight into the building process of the brewery, the original conditions of the buildings, and provided a visual representation of the changes that have occurred to the brewery buildings over time.

Numerous works were considered for inclusion as case studies in this thesis.  The criteria for choosing relevant case studies were based on whether or not the case study shared similarities with this thesis.  Similarities sought after were themes and ideas such as building materials, design elements, building type, historical designation, ruinous conditions, or construction methods.  A list of effective case studies was compiled and has been refined throughout the research process to ensure the highest level of relevance and support for the project as it evolves to its finalization.  In-depth information for each case study was obtained from architectural blogs, journal articles, and websites of parties involved in their development and construction. 

The preferred type of research was that of scholarly designation, but in order to capture the human element to this project, social media and blog-type websites were also utilized to gather community opinions and desires for the Malt Kiln’s future.  Interestingly enough, in public forums many people who live in this project’s region expressed that they hope to see the Malt Kiln rehabilitated and turned into something for the community, such as a brewery, event venue, or community gathering space.  Many people also expressed their desire for controlled public access to the cellars and cave to be made available as part of a rehabilitation effort.  These opinions were not sought until late in the design process, but demonstrate that the building resulting from this thesis closely aligns with what the local population wants, and it is expected that this building would be very well received and very successful.