Galef Center for Fine Arts, Otis College

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Project Narrative
1.
Our goal in the design of this 40,000 square foot college fine arts studio building was to create enduring spaces that inspire spirited exchanges between students and faculty, as well as create a sense of campus community and pride. The new freestanding 2-story structure was an addition to an art and design college, housed on a 4-acre campus. The school’s existing 7-story building did not satisfy the growing needs of the art department. The new building accommodates a wide range of uses including group and individual studios for painting, sculpture, photography and new genres; workshops; classrooms; two art galleries; and faculty offices. In addition, the project provides a variety of outdoor spaces for a range of academic and social activities including: art production, exhibitions, special events and casual gatherings, as well as an enclosed glass-walled outdoor courtyard in the center of the second floor.

With a tight budget and schedule, we approached the building as an “art factory,” that evokes traditional modes of art production. The studio is fully digitally wired, and complies with LEED Green building standards. The structure responds to its urban context and specific site conditions in its relation to the existing campus architecture and proximity to the adjacent boulevard. We found that enhanced learning could be achieved through four key design concepts: flexibility in use; site orientation; overlapping programming and multi-disciplinary use of the building.

The project’s square floor plan affords maximum flexibility of use and efficiency inside and out. The structure is on a 9-square grid requiring only four internal structural columns, allowing the walls to act as movable partitions, and providing large, flexible spaces for display. Hence, the plan and structural elements allow for spaces to be used interchangeably as studios, classrooms or ad hoc display areas. This flexibility allows for maximum use of the building today, as well as for future modes of art making.

The building’s orientation on the site — angled with respect to the existing building and adjacent boulevard — establishes three main triangular outdoor areas. After examining multiple options, the building was positioned parallel to the adjacent boulevard versus aligning it with the existing structure. This spatial angular relationship between the original and new structures (see site plan) establishes areas that extend the functions of the building into the landscape, creating an entry plaza, outdoor work area, and an outdoor exhibition space. The large, open work areas foster creativity and artistic expression. Additionally, the first floor studios all have a connection to the outdoors through the use of large windows, sliding glass doors and roll-up metal doors. These open, unlimited spaces allow for students to be inspired by the activities taking place outside as well as inside.

The overlapping programming of studios, classrooms, galleries and administrative areas promotes creative interchanges between related academia. For example, the critique room is connected to the drawing and painting studios. The sculpture and foundation rooms are adjacent to each other. Additionally, the student gallery is located across from the gallery that exhibits traveling shows. This relationship offers students exposure to and inspiration from professional level artwork.

Finally, the open and flexible art studio building was designed to accommodate and encourage multi-disciplinary use by students on campus. While the project entailed the design of a building for the art studio department, the idea was to provide a resource for non-art students and faculty. We achieved this through physically and visually connecting the new building to the existing campus architecture. The two structures on campus now share a central courtyard as well as traffic flow. Additionally, an aesthetic modification to a portion of the fenestration of the existing building symbolically connects the old with the new.

2.

The physical manifestation of the building supports the four key design elements outlined above. Light and temperate climate are key design features of the structure. Floor to ceiling glazing, glass paneled flooring, skylights, first floor courtyards and a second story patio all create varied patterns of daylight and fresh air. The skylights flood light through both levels of the building, and vertically and visually connect the spaces. These design elements offer students natural air circulation, vertical and horizontal sight relations, views of outside activities, and those outdoors a glimpse of activity inside.

External staircases and a glass-enclosed elevator tower provide a dynamic counterpoint to the flattened, collage-like elevations. The placement of the elevator and stairs on the exterior of the building, versus the typical placement on the building’s interior, freed up critical space that was allotted to academic programming. Additionally, the stair tower offers a focal point and gathering place for the campus’ courtyard plaza, which connects the new building with the existing structure. Students use the large, wide stairs attached to the tower for socializing and informal meetings. Art installations and functions take place on the landing of the tower.
The building is sheathed in silver-painted corrugated aluminum. This visually active material, which reflects the sky and landscape, was selected for its reference to industrial structures.
Each of the building’s four elevations has its own distinct graphic composition, reflecting the varied modes of art production occurring on the inside of the building. Large expanses of glass open up the metal cube to daylight and views, creating abstract patterns of solid and void on the building’s surface.

In consideration of views from the existing, adjacent 7-story campus structure, the roof of the new studio building was conceived as an important “fifth façade” that is as visually dynamic as the vertical elevations. A self enclosed patio, varied materials and skylights offer visual interest when seen from above.

Finally, the building reflects art-making practices in its factory-like construction and appearance. Its materials and structure — a perfect square with only four internal structural columns — are economical, flexible and efficient. The start-to-finish 17-month project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget. The building satisfies the current needs of students and administration, and will accommodate the evolving requirements of the student body in the future. Our design goals were achieved — we created an enduring academic building that inspires artistic ingenuity, and created a new sense of community on campus.