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D.C. Workhouse & Reformatory, prior to rehabilitation
Workhouse Art Center after rehabilitation, 2009
 Interior hallway after rehabilitation, 2009 |
Adaptive Reuse for Arts Center
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LOCATION |
Lorton, Virginia |
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DATE BUILT |
1925-1955 |
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DEVELOPER |
Lorton Arts Foundation |
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COMPLETION DATE |
November 2008 |
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TOTAL REHABILITATION COSTS |
$27 million |
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STATE (VIRGINIA) HISTORIC TAX CREDITS |
Approximately $6.5 million |
PROJECT OVERVIEW
MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC served as the historic tax credit consultant in the rehabilitation of the former D. C. Workhouse and Reformatory, now the Lorton Arts Foundation's, "Workhouse Art Center." The Workhouse is a complex of fifteen buildings featuring a quadrangle bordered by an arcade on two parallel sides with a dining hall at one end. The buildings are perpendicular to the quad and are similar in scale, design and materials, feature Colonial Revival detailing and generally have open floor plans to reflect the Progressive-era ideals, which the prison complex intended. Historic barracks, such as those within the D. C. Workhouse & Reformatory are unique candidates for adaptive reuse. Their typical open floor plans allow for a large amount of flexibility; and, in this instance, accommodate the needs of various types of modern art studios, associated art galleries, as well as art classrooms.
The project included rehabilitation of barracks into artist studios designed to accommodate a variety of disciplines, including glass works, ceramics, photography, fiber, painting, and dance. Partial height partitions were used to create a central corridor and delineate studio spaces while preserving a sense of the originally open interiors. The administrative office building was rehabilitated for continued use as offices, with new gallery space and a gift shop. Exterior work included removal of non-historic additions from buildings and removal of infill from the arched openings of the arcades. Selective tuckpointing was done, as was installation of a minimal number of new egress openings at secondary elevations. New restroom facilities and/or cleaning facilities have been delineated at the rears.
MacRostie Historic Advisors worked closely with the project team to develop a scope of work compatible with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and secured approvals for state historic tax credits from the State Historic Preservation agency (Virginia Department of Historic Resources).