Building Blocks of the Future
Coexist becomes leader in regenerative design, manufacturing
By Drew Oberholtzer, Coexist Build, Co-Founder & Partner
Coexist is a full-service architecture studio focused on regenerative and healthy design. We operate a research farm and lab to create proof-of-concept materials and products from agricultural raw material for the commercial marketplace. We’ve created the hemp block, an insulating infill material used in residential construction.
We are creating a new net-zero manufacturing facility to create the Coexist Hemp Block as well as other bio-based building blocks for residential construction. It will be the first factory in the United States specifically designed for bio-composites that are derived from agricultural raw material. We are currently raising capital and hope to have our pilot manufacturing line operational by early 2024 in the Reading area.
We started Coexist five years ago and have grown to become national leaders in regenerative design and manufacturing—
having designed a meditation retreat, custom homes and widely popular Traveler DIY kits. Most recently we created an installation for the esteemed Venice Architectural Biennial called The New Regenerative City, which draws attention to the circularity and synergy between agriculture and architecture.
We believe Greater Reading has the manufacturing infrastructure and agricultural knowledge to support an emerging bio-based economy in Pennsylvania to create a dynamic economy around Pennsylvania agriculture and manufacturing. We believe our design approach and future manufacturing facility will be an anchor for bio-based businesses and services to flourish in the region.
