#COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
OMA juxtaposes old and new with artist cai guo-qiang's studio renovation
known for his flaming sky ladder and 99 sculptural animals, chinese contemporary artist cai guo-qiang has recently had his downtown new york studio renovated by renowned architecture firm OMA.
set in a traditional brownstone building, OMA spatially reorganized the studio around a central courtyard – referencing traditional chinese building layouts. the building itself was originally constructed in 1885; the site of a schoolhouse. currently it serves as cai’s personal headquarters for exhibition and reception. OMA’s response carefully balances between intertwining existing details and contemporary materials.
OMA’s response carefully intertwines existing details and contemporary materials. many historic elements belonging to its school use have been kept; the red school door which continues to serve as the main entry, original brick and stone masonry and archways, and existing iron stair railings and stairs. these components now sit side by side with materials including translucent resin and wood, which emphasizes the character of the historic building within the updated space.
the double height expanse of the exposed brick wall within the core also provides additional and unique display space for cai’s artwork, complementing the dedicated gallery spaces. the two main galleries, the west and east ateliers, are both fully accessible from the courtyard, and enhanced by natural light.
‘vertical and horizontal connections between the studio and its context and within the building itself are created through a few key interventions.’ comments OMA ‘the original, wedge-shaped courtyard is extended to the street front, defining a new, larger courtyard that spans the full extent of the site. this expansion creates a literal and conceptual extension of the neighborhood’s urban fabric to the interior programs.’
characterized by a translucent resin wall, the design of courtyard was a focus throughout the project’s design development. as well as distributing light horizontally and vertically, walkable glass panels provides optimize the distribution of light and air. ‘ it reproduces the idea of an unfolding space on which different scenes take place that can be seen in chinese paintings and referenced in cai’s works.’
rooms have been furnished and added in to adapt to an array of functions to host meetings to private events. more intimate and private spaces which reference eastern philosophies have also been organized. a tea room featuring tatami mats oriented so that guests face the outdoors, towards the diffused silhouette of the bamboo planting within the courtyard, further strengthens the importance of linking the programmatic relationship to nature and landscape.
the double height expanse of the exposed brick wall within the core also provides additional and unique display space for cai’s artwork, complementing the dedicated gallery spaces. the two main galleries, the west and east ateliers, are both fully accessible from the courtyard, and enhanced by natural light.
