SculptureCenter

The building housing the SculptureCenter was constructed as a repair facility for locomotives in 1918. It had served most of its life as an industrial space. Maya Lin had performed a light renovation to get the SculptureCenter into the space. Our initial brief for this project called for the design of a fire stair to provide egress from the cellar level of the SculptureCenter.

We began discussions with Mary Ceruti, the museum director, to understand what, in addition to a fire stair was missing from their art venue. A proper entry, reception, a bookshop, elevator, additional gallery space, as well as the need of improved circulation to view the work made the list. We decided to see how, on a very limited budget, we could provide for this larger reimagining of the gallery experience and building.

We designed a new two story building that was built in the adjacent lot. The new building stitches into the original industrial building at the ground floor and cellar levels. Our strategic work was enough to transform the entire gallery experience and operations of the building. Two new courtyards were created to extend the SculptureCenter’s use of the site. Natural light and robust primary materials that speak to the existing building and industrial neighborhood were used to extend the distinct atmosphere of the SculptureCenter through the expansion.

 

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