South Carolina has always been a hub for manufacturing, and in the late nineteenth century through the twentieth century, manufacturing in South Carolina was dominated by the textile industry. Many of these textile mills were based around the Piedmont area, through Greenville and Spartanburg. Unfortunately, due to the increasingly competitive global market that developed in the late 20th century, much of the textile industry in South Carolina collapsed, leaving behind abandoned textile mills. In an effort to encourage revitalization their respective communities, the South Carolina Legislature approved various tax credits for the renovation and re-use of textile mills throughout the state.
The Southern Weaving mill in Easley was one such abandoned mill, but its location on the recently developed Doodle Trail makes it a perfect candidate for redevelopment into a mixed-use retail and event center. Equip Studio carefully documented the existing structure with a laser scan and a 3D BIM model, then developed a conceptual design based on the developer's desire for an event center that would accompany a brew-pub and retail outlets.
Equip's design for Southern Weaving seeks to strip the space back down to the more historical elements. By strategically removing some of the later, more contemporary additions, the front area is opened into a public plaza with direct access to the Doodle Trail, and a covered outdoor breezeway is introduced between the historic mill and warehouse spaces. The events center would occupy the historic brick mill portion of the site which features original steel bow trusses. On the other side of the public breezeway, the warehouse is proposed to be developed into a brew-pub with other retail opportunities. A small cafe and grocery would anchor the front of the property, sharing the open plaza with the brew pub.
A significant drop in the topography and large back portion of the property presented an opportunity for a public lawn off the Doodle Trail that hosts a music and events pavillion. A set of landscaped spanish steps connects the public breezeway and brew pub patio to the lawn. The adjacent maintenance building would be converted to a concessions space for use during lawn events.
