The Seam
160,000 square feet
Dallas, Texas
On the Boards
Located in the heart of Dallas's Design District, The Seam is a unique redevelopment project that will transform a 1970s retail plaza into a sophisticated outdoor shopping and dining destination.
In a city defined by its neighborhoods, the Design District has carved out a unique identity as Dallas's destination for upscale design showrooms, art galleries, and fine dining. Located along Oak Lawn Avenue, in the heart of the Design District, a 1970s retail plaza is set to undergo a transformative adaptive reuse redevelopment to become the centerpiece of the shopping and dining revival.
MA's planning and design approach was centered on enhancing connectivity and establishing The Seam as the social and geographical heart of the Design District. The site's original layout was reconfigured, removing portions of the existing complex that obstructed visual and physical connections to Slocum Street.
The new visual identity for the revitalized buildings is characterized by bold geometries and sophisticated materials anchored by intimate courtyard gardens. The architecture introduces elements that establish a clear visual hierarchy across the site. Strong, graphic forms are juxtaposed with the refined courtyards and tranquil landscapes.
The bold architecture is also softened by a material palette of lightly textured plaster and terrazzo in natural tones, as well as warm wooden pergolas. Rooted in the site's history, the natural palette of beiges, browns, and dark charcoals is inspired by tones revealed during an architectural survey of the existing structures, lending the site a cohesive and contextual identity.
“Our planning and design approach was centered on enhancing connectivity throughout the site and within the neighborhood's context. We reconfigured the plaza's overall layout to open up the site and significantly improve the pedestrian experience."
The Seam's courtyards serve as hubs for outdoor dining and gathering and introduce hierarchy and variation, enhancing the retail experience with additional height and sightlines in key areas. Landscaping works in harmony with the architecture to create a townscape-like atmosphere.
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- Morris Adjmi Architects
