Preserving History, Designing for the Future

MKSD architects is proud to be featured in Building Enclosure magazine for our collaboration with ArtsQuest on the adaptive reuse of the LVHN part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop at the former Bethlehem Steel site.

Once a facility where precision steel parts were shaped, the Turn & Grind Shop is being reimagined as part of ArtsQuest’s arts and culture campus—a space that will host festivals, exhibitions, private events, and community gatherings. This transformation demonstrates the power of adaptive reuse: preserving history while creating new opportunities for the Lehigh Valley’s future.

Designing with Respect for Legacy

Our approach to the project centered on maintaining the building’s industrial character while upgrading it to meet modern performance standards. Key strategies include:

• Preserving original steel framing, masonry, and clerestory windows to retain architectural integrity.
• Enhancing the building enclosure with modern systems for energy efficiency, accessibility, and climate control.
• Juxtaposing historic materials with new high-performance systems to create a dialogue between past and present.

Creating a Flexible, Future-Ready Space

The reimagined 12,000-square-foot facility will support ArtsQuest’s expanding arts and cultural programming, serving as a flexible venue for large-scale festivals like Musikfest and Christkindlmarkt as well as rotating exhibitions, performances, and private events throughout the year.

The adaptive reuse design ensures the building remains versatile, with integrated A/V infrastructure, gallery-ready lighting, and an open floor plan to accommodate a wide range of uses.

A Model for Adaptive Reuse

The Turn & Grind Shop project is more than a building—it’s part of a broader vision to revitalize post-industrial landscapes while conserving embodied carbon and reducing waste. By repurposing rather than replacing, ArtsQuest and MKSD are helping to preserve Bethlehem’s identity while opening doors for creativity, culture, and community growth.

We are honored to be part of this project and grateful to ArtsQuest for their partnership in reimagining this historic space.

👉 Read the full article in Building Enclosure here.