The building, originally located at 409 Houston Street and known as the Model Laundry, boasts a rich history spanning over ninety years. When GVSA embarked on the design project for this structure, their approach was to carefully balance the preservation of its historical significance with a bold and modern intervention. This intervention took the form of a steel frame that boldly extended through a two-story glass oval, creating a striking contemporary element within the historical envelope. Importantly, GVSA’s design strategy aimed to ensure that this modern addition stood independently, yet harmoniously, alongside the building’s historical features. This approach allowed the past and present to coexist seamlessly, breathing new life into the building while honoring its storied past.