Nexus embodies a transformative vision for post-industrial landscapes, utilizing the core principles of Repurpose, Restructure, and Resilience. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this revitalization project redefines an abandoned industrial site as a thriving cultural and ecological hub, seamlessly integrating nature with the built environment to enhance human experience and wildlife habitat.

The project’s foundation, Repurpose, breathes new life into dormant structures, converting old factory buildings into dynamic art installations and communal spaces. Existing silos are reimagined as vertical green walls, merging history with sustainability.

Restructure establishes a cohesive, interconnected framework through strategic spatial planning, blending industrial aesthetics with modern functionality. Elevated walkways, open plazas, and green corridors create an inviting, accessible urban fabric that encourages social interaction and connectivity.


Resilience is achieved through an environmentally responsive approach that addresses stormwater management, soil contamination, and ecosystem revitalization while ensuring long-term site adaptability. Rain gardens and phytoremediation filter pollutants while promoting biodiversity. Vegetated rooftops, reclaimed materials, and filtration systems transform the site into a model of ecological regeneration, ensuring its viability for future generations. The sustainability approach and design typologies shape every element, blending eco-friendly materials with green spaces for a seamless, functional and innovative experience

At its core, Nexus signifies connection, linking history, sustainability, and innovation into a cohesive vision. Merging inspiration from case studies around the world established a purpose, feel and function. The design harbors deep relationships between people, their environment, and the site’s cultural significance. A cultural complex featuring a museum and library with a vegetated roof serves as the project’s cornerstone, seamlessly blending architecture and landscape. Open green spaces, community gathering areas, and interactive installations encourage public engagement and environmental stewardship.

More than a revitalization project, Nexus is a shared space for education, relaxation, and interaction with nature. By prioritizing human experience and ecological health, it serves as a model for reimagining post-industrial landscapes into sustainable, inclusive, and culturally rich destinations.