Sep 25, 2024
CDA’s recent visit to The Plant, located in Chicago’s historic Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side was nothing short of inspiring. Housed in a century-old meatpacking facility, The Plant has transformed into a pioneering food production hub that blends industrial heritage with sustainability. This innovative space is a shining example of how urban redevelopment can contribute to a greener, more equitable future.
Originally constructed as a meatpacking factory in the early 20th century, The Plant sat vacant for years before being acquired in 2010 by The Plant founder John Edel. Its transformation into a 100,000 square-foot sustainable food production facility is a testament to the power of community-driven innovation. The journey wasn’t easy. The building had no roof or windows, and even its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were in disrepair. But armed with a vision and a strong mission, John and his team have continuously been breathing new life into this structure day by day.
Today, The Plant is home to 19 businesses, including four indoor farms, food producers, and breweries, all of which operate on sustainable principles. From growing coffee and producing cheese to developing mushroom extracts and craft ice, The Plant supports a diverse community of entrepreneurs committed to reducing waste and rethinking traditional business models.
Chipman Design Architecture’s CEO and Principal, Lauren Chipman, was particularly struck by the ingenuity behind the building’s systems. For instance, excess CO2 from the Whiner Beer Co. is used to feed algae labs, and wastewater from rain is filtered into a constructed wetland that supports local wildlife. The facility even includes bioremediation planters, which use algae to clean soil, highlighting The Plant’s holistic approach to sustainability.
Another fascinating aspect of The Plant is its embrace of open-source technology. From monitoring indoor farms with real-time data to employing digital twinning technology, the facility is constantly evolving to create smarter, more efficient systems. As Lauren noted, even the heating system is innovative: residential-scale heat pumps redistribute heat throughout the building, and real-time data helps make informed decisions about how to manage the space efficiently.
What stood out to Senior Project Manager, Matthew Martin, was the use of anaerobic digesters, which convert 32 tons of food waste into biogas, heating the algae labs, and producing digestate, a valuable resource for agriculture. These circular economy models demonstrate that waste is simply another resource waiting to be harnessed.
The Plant is not just about food production or sustainability; it’s also about community. Volunteers continue to play a crucial role in restoring the building, and today, the facility offers affordable lease rates that are a fraction of the market rate, allowing small businesses to thrive. Its shared kitchens and storage spaces enable food entrepreneurs to reduce costs, making it a supportive incubator for Chicago’s culinary innovators.
The community spirit is evident in The Plant’s mission as a social enterprise: to create a replicable model of urban industrial redevelopment that can inspire other cities. As Lauren reflected during our tour, the balance of keeping the building’s “rough and raw” character while embracing modern sustainable technologies creates a unique, authentic atmosphere. The building’s past is alive in its present, serving as a reminder that old spaces can have new purposes.
From its living walls and urban farms to its collaborative spirit, The Plant serves as a beacon of what’s possible when sustainability, technology, and community intersect. Our visit was a reminder of the importance of rethinking how we use urban spaces, and how architecture can support sustainable solutions.
As we left The Plant, we couldn’t help but feel inspired by what we had seen. The lessons learned from this field trip extend beyond the facility itself. The Plant offers a vision of how old buildings can become part of the solution to modern challenges—a vision we are excited to share and reflect on in our own projects.
Stay tuned for more insights as we continue exploring the ways in which architecture, sustainability, and community can come together to shape our cities.
Chipman Design Architecture (WBE) is a people-first, family-owned senior living, retail, and hospitality, architecture firm composed of innovators, architects, and interior designers who love collaborating, breaking boundaries, and creating spaces for tomorrow. For over forty-five years, the firm has separated themselves with a focus on the future in regard to organizational structure, customer experience and fostering community. With corporate headquarters in Chicago, and five additional national offices, Chipman Design provides interior design, experiential design, and architectural expertise throughout North America. Today, the firm’s Principal team, led by third generation family member, and CEO, Lauren Chipman, offers innovation and professionalism through complete architectural and interiordesign services. Through membership in the U.S. Green Building Council, the firm’s commitment to sustainability and lowering energy consumption continues to reinforce recognition of the critical role of architects in today’s world.
