architects building plans · 2020-03-02 · gbbn architects have been hired to develop plans for...

ContemporaryCraft(CC),aninternationallyrecognizedandcelebratedartorganization,isembarkingonatransformationalmovewiththepurchaseofapropertyinPittsburgh’sUpperLawrencevilleneighborhood.

Aboldandsustainablefutureinthisnewhomewillbuildontheorganization’sguidingprinciples—artisticexcellence,inclusionandengagement,andsociallyconsciousartsleadership.The$5.5million-dollarfacilitywillprovideaspaceforinspiration,contemplation,andcreativityineverydaylifeandserveasaculturalgatewayforUpperLawrencevilleaswellasanewtouristdestinationfortheregion.Renovationofthepropertylocatedat5645ButlerStreet*willbegininJuly2019;agrandopeningisplannedforMarch2020.

ArchitecturalrenderingofnewCCfacility,ButlerStreetexterior,courtesyofGBBNArchitectsArchitectsGBBNArchitectshavebeenhiredtodevelopplansforthenewbuilding.

BuildingPlans5645ButlerStreetishighlyvisible—akeytoawarenessandaudiencedevelopment—andwillserveasanidealblankcanvasforcreatinganeye-catchingandwelcomingartcenter.AdramaticfrontentrancewillannounceCCasaculturallandmarkanddestinationinUpperLawrenceville.Everyaspectofthenewspacewillbedesignedtoenhancevisitorexperienceandallowforaudienceengagement.Thenewfacilitywillaccommodatelargeexhibitionopenings,publicandspecialevents,onsiteeducationalprogramming,andadministrativeactivity,andwillinclude:

• 2,500squarefeetofgalleryspaceforinnovativeexhibitions• 1,800squarefeetofstudiospaceacrossthreeflexibleeducationStudiosforclasses,workshops,and

lectures• 1,100squarefeetofretailspacewillprovideamarketplaceforartiststhatwillbeakeyrevenuesource

forContemporaryCraft• Awelcomingvisitorloungewillfeaturecreativeandcomfortablebenches,chairs,andotherseating,

andresourcematerials• LargewindowsfacingButlerStreetwillshowcaseCC’snationallyrecognizedexhibitionsandeducation

programsinawayneverbeforeseenbythepublic

• Exteriorretailshowcasedisplayswillfeatureartobjectsforsaleinside• Amezzaninelevelofficesuiteandgroundflooradministrative,kitchen,andstorage/stagingareaswill

supportoperations• Sustainabledesignstandardsandgreenenergysolutions,solarpanelsorlowcarbonalternatives,and

multi-modaltransit-friendlyoptionsInnovativeExhibitionsDramaticexhibitionspacewillhouseCC’sgroundbreakingshowsaswellasnationallyimportantandculturallydiverseexhibitionsthatotherwisemightnotfindavenueinPittsburgh.Formerlyamanufacturingfacility,thenewspacewillfeatureasleek,industrialvibewellsuitedforcontemporaryart.Fourteen-footceilingswillallowabundantnaturallightintothegalleryandstorethroughalargeglass-and-aluminumoverheaddooronthefrontofthebuilding,andaglasswallintheentrywaywillattractnewandcasualvisitorsinside.State-of-the-artlightingwilladjusttoeachexhibition’sspecificneeds.Anopenfloorplanwithmoveablepanels,displaycases,andpedestalswillallowfordramaticinstallations,accommodatelarge-scaleartworks,andhelpdirectaudienceflow.MarketplaceforArtistsThereimaginedretailstorewillbeamarketplaceforlocalandnationalartistswhileoptimizingakeyearnedrevenuestreamforCC.Uniquedisplaycaseswillshowcasehigh-qualitygoodsandhand-craftedart.Marketingsupport,prizes,andfeaturedisplayswillsupportsalesandrepresentartists.Artistcommissionswillcallattentiontocraftmaterials,design,andcreativity.MakerSpacesHands-onclasseswillprovidevaluableprofessionaldevelopmentforUpperLawrenceville’s“communityofmakers”through80+workshopsofferedannually.Threefullyequippedstudiosformetals,fiberartandmixedmedia,andwoodworkingwillsupportworkshopsforallagesandskilllevels,includingyoutheducationandoutreachprogrammingthatfillcriticalgapsinpubliceducationforat-riskyoungpeople.Moveablewallsbetweenstudioswillallowflexibleuseforbothlargerandmoreintimateclasses,accommodatingnationallyrecognizedvisitingartistclassesthatdrawcraft-enthusiastsandstudentsfromoutsidetheregion.LargewindowswillprovidenaturallightfromtheButlerStreetexteriorandshowcaseclassesforpatronsandpassersbytoviewartmakinginprogress.ADrop-InStudiowillofferfree,hands-onartmakingduringpublichourstoallvisitorsregardlessofage,ability,orincome,witheducationalcontent,themesortechniquesrelatedtoworkinthegallery.SustainableDesignAlthoughtheprojectwillnotpursueLEEDcertification,sustainabledesignstandardswillbetrackedwiththegoalofattainingLEEDSilverequivalency.Theprojectwillexploregreenenergysolutionsincludingonsitesolarpanelsorlowcarbonalternatives,andprioritizemulti-modaltransportationoptionsincludingbicycle,publictransit,andpedestriantrafficatthenewlocation.*Edits:OnMay24,2019,theCityofPittsburghAddressingCommitteehasverifiedthechangeofaddressonthepermanenthomeofContemporaryCraftas5645ButlerStreetinsteadofitsoldaddress5637ButlerStreet.