The on-going process of civilization development causes loss of original functions of buildings. This mechanism is characteristic for industrial architecture. Because of technological and economic changes structures built to held nineteenth-century production process often become abandoned spaces inside city centres.
The aim of this study is to prove that the nineteenth-century historical industrial architecture could be a foundation of creative development in both spatial and social meaning. Studying the case of Łódź, city of strict industrial origin, it presents genesis, characteristics, current condition and examples of adaptation of post-industrial buildings for new uses. Searching for model transformation direction it shows foreign examples of post-industrial areas transition into centres of creative industries.
Design part covers a proposal of digital fabrication laboratory located on the site of former Franciszek Ramisch textile factory by Piotrkowska Street in Łódź. Building is a ‘space of creation’ where ideas are materialized using the latest technologies. Project is a functional supplement to creative industries companies already present at the site. Spatially it can be considered as an extension of the factory complex viewed from main historical street of the city.
