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Archive image of the former Drexel Furniture Plant, part of the industrial landscape being re-imagined at The Industrial Commons
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Early concept sketch
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Final rendered plan
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The Industrial Commons
Morganton, NC
2022 - Ongoing
Once a bustling center of craftsmanship and industry, the Drexel Furniture Plant in Morganton, North Carolina, left a profound imprint on the community, ecology, and region. Its factory buildings, water towers, and other infrastructure recall a history of production that shaped the Morganton for generations.
Today, The Industrial Commons is reimagining this legacy, transforming the 27-acre site into an Innovation Campus and nearby Housing Cooperative that unite economic opportunity, sustainability, and community well-being. The campus will house manufacturing, training, and incubator spaces within eight acres of public parkland, while the 10-acre housing site will provide 55 affordable homes with shared gardens, recreation areas, and community amenities. Guided by the Living Building Challenge, the plan weaves together place-based innovation, ecological stewardship, and a commitment to a thriving, inclusive future.