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“Rag Flats” in Philadelphia is an awesome example of how a rundown industrial site can be turned into innovative eco-friendly living spaces. The experimental development explores the link between local urban dwelling and the need for greater energy efficiency and sustainability.
Onion Flats, the Philadelphia firm of architects responsible for the project, set out to establish a creative residential complex from an abandoned rag factory – used as a waste dump for 10 years – in Fishtown. And as a result, Rag Flats has brought the residents of south Philadelphia and Fishtown together in a vibrant urban community.
Among other innovations, Rag Flats features:
- Green roof gardens
- Earth-friendly flooring
- An indivisually metered, 32KW photovoltaic panel system
- A 6,000 gallon cistern to store rainwater
In addition, varying apartment sizes reflect the development’s consideration of density, intimacy and privacy for those living within.
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Forward Thinking Architecture by Visionary Architects
Onion Flats is as innovative and modern as the developments it creates. The company was founded in 1997 by brothers Tim and Patrick MacDonald, who were joined by architect/builder Kurt Schlenbaker in 1999. Since its inception, Onion Flats has blazed its own trail with several completed developments so far – including Market Flats, Capital Flats and Rag Flats.
There are many phases involved in the building process, and they’re often dealt with by very different companies. But Onion Flats looks after a number of the main components itself, from designing, building and selling, to managing the properties.
And not only that, the firm doesn’t even have an office, perferring to work on-site to experiment with built form in order to get to grips with all aspects of the project. In addition, Onion Flats seeks to empower a new generation of architects by hiring students from three Philadelphia universities where Tim McDonald teaches. Other work is outsourced to friends when specific knowledge is required.
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Community Revival
Fishtown is an area of Philadelphia near the Delaware River and, as the name suggests, was heavily involved in the pickling, salting and smoking of fresh fish for the less well-off during the nineteenth century. The area remains a close knit working-class Irish Catholic community to this day.
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