Title: Claussen's
Location of Proejct: Columbia, SC
Project Completion Date: 2019
Firm Name: 1x1 Design

Short Description: At 25,000 square feet, the industrial two-story building has undergone multiple transformations: from Claussen’s bakery to a boutique hotel and now a boutique apartment community.
This renovation strived to achieve a balance between preserving the institution’s historic elements while providing modern amenities and design considerations, with a large focus also on accessibility. Twenty-nine units—studio and studio loft apartments—along with a community lounge and coworking space were developed from the existing framework. Special consideration was taken for the original elements, including steel trusses, wood ceilings, large windows, and exposed bricks, that enhance the quality of the space.

Architect's Statement: The Claussen’s building has resided in the bustling Five Points Village since its construction in 1928. At 25,000 square feet, the industrial two-story building has undergone multiple transformations, from a bakery to a hotel, leading up to its current adaptation as a boutique apartment complex.

The building was commissioned in the early 20th century by George Frederick Claussen as the epicenter of what would become the regional industrial chain, Claussen’s Bakery. Claussen, whose grandfather immigrated from Germany to establish a steam bakery in Charleston, expanded to prominent cities in both South Carolina and Georgia. The bakery contributed to the industrial economic growth of Columbia, employing hundreds of South Carolinians by the 1940s.

The bakery ceased operation in 1963, Claussen’s was then repurposed as a locally owned inn from 1986 until 2015. During this period in the building’s history, the interior space was segmented into small living quarters for hotel use and its utilitarian past was completely concealed for the commercial style that was in vogue.
However, the exterior has been proudly preserved as a manifestation of Columbia’s industrial past. and the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for Commerce, Industry, and Architecture in 1987. The brick elevation is quintessential of the commercial architecture in the era featuring sparse decorative adornment with few exceptions like the inlaid tablet inscribed with “Claussen’s Bakery” and ornate shields displaying the date of construction, 1928. The other elevations fall in step with the pragmatic approach of the Green Street façade. The daylighting strategy in the east facade consists of seven large spanning windows along an alleyway to bring in an abundance of natural light. This design consideration signifies the innovations that were required of industrial architecture in this period to create a high-performance space with the technology available. The adjacency to the railroad on the opposite side, which informed the building’s trapezoidal form, housed large loading doors that lead to the lower level which were integral to the regional and local delivery services. The exterior of the building is mostly untouched apart from restoring the front door and developing signage with the pastiche of the original era.
The interior was constructed strictly for function. The second level boasted a large open floor plan with high ceilings to improve the functionality of the bakery’s production space. The brick walls were minimally painted or had tiling applied in select spaces. The original function of the second-floor space being for baking required heavy machinery. This created the need for a significant metal framing system to be engineered on the lower level.

The architect, in collaboration with the owner, strived to achieve a balance between preserving the institution’s historic elements while providing modern amenities and design considerations for the future residents. Twenty-nine units—studio and studio loft apartments—along with a community lounge and coworking space were developed from the existing framework. Special consideration was taken for the original elements, including steel trusses, wood ceiling, large windows, and exposed bricks, that enhance the quality of the space. The second-floor units enjoy high ceilings, some with loft spaces, and the downstairs units share a semi-private al fresco area where the alley once was. All the units feature sleek new kitchenettes and bathrooms that complement the existing features. The communal areas showcase the steel support system along the mezzanine and in more intimate settings such as lounge.

One of the main focuses of the project is accessibility. The lower level prioritized the accessibility by ensuring ease of access to amenities, a ramp to the private parking lot in the rear of the property and providing units that were readily accessible or able to be converted.
Even throughout Claussen’s many forms, in part to its central location, it has garnered steady economic and public interest in the Five Points Village community.

Present day, Claussen’s revival coincides with a much larger revitalization narrative in the Columbia area. Five Points, Columbia’s original village neighborhood, is one of the newly listed sites on the National Register of Historic Places. The combined local effort made it the prime time to rekindle the Claussen’s building’s role as a historic institution that continually gives value and service to its community. The location’s proximity to some of Columbia’s beloved establishment offers a unique living experience to a wide range of demographics. The re-purposing that took place in the 1980s preserved the utilitarian historical style that is now brought to the forefront of the design. This latest design unmasks wide spanning steel beams and posts as well as the worn brick interior façade that is evocative of the building’s past. Claussen’s minimalist design and preservation approach grants the residents the connection to the past that they are seeking out while simultaneously providing a blank canvas to make their own mark on the building.