Ballard Mills, 1969

The images in this set showcase architect Jasper D. Ward's innovative 1969 design for converting the Ballard Mills grain silos at 912 E. Broadway, Louisville, KY, into a mixed-use development featuring apartments, offices, and recreational spaces. This project exemplifies Ward's advocacy for adaptive reuse of existing structures, illustrating a bold approach to repurposing industrial buildings. The detailed architectural plans include 48 circular efficiency apartments, 84 split-level apartments, a restaurant, a recreation room, and a pool with a heated bubble atop the towers. A notable feature of the design is the pool, which was to be partially submerged within the bar area, allowing patrons to view swimmers through large portholes.

The set comprises architectural drawings of various levels, elevations, and site plans. These include floor plans that demonstrate meticulous attention to detail and spatial arrangements, as well as exterior elevations that emphasize symmetry, window placement, and overall building massing. The recurring circular and curved motifs reflect an emphasis on both aesthetic form and functional space usage, contributing to the project's unique architectural character.

Although this ambitious design was never realized, as the silos were demolished in 1972, these documents provide significant insight into mid-20th-century architectural practices, adaptive reuse strategies, and Ward's visionary approach to design.

Ward, Jasper D. (1921-2002) Architectural Drawings, 1924-1997, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

Mss. AR W259 Folder 048 Item 001-023