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University of Massachusetts Amherst Studio Art Building
A gateway building designed for the arts.
Every last inch of this Studio Arts Building is designed to promote art, learning and community.
UMass Amherst
Studio Arts Building
Building community among the art department.
The Studio Arts Building at UMass Amherst brings together a variety of arts programs that were previously scattered around campus. The building fosters a multidisciplinary approach to art, a trend that has been embraced by the Art Department through the development of its curriculum. By housing faculty, undergraduate and graduate student studios, the building enables more interaction and collaboration and strengthens the sense of community among the entire department.
Redefining an edge of campus.
After analyzing three different sites, an existing parking lot was selected for the site of the new Studio Arts Building. This prime location is a key campus point of entry, allowing the building to form a campus gateway and improve the campus fabric. The building was positioned at the southern corner of the site, closest to the intersection, to create an axial focal point that helps redefine the eastern campus district.
Creating connections across campus.
The transparent Commons Cube is the axial focal point to the campus entry as well as a new pedestrian pathway. The building’s park-like setting features a variety of outdoor studio and event spaces, including an amphitheater that overlooks changeable sculpture plinths and in-progress artwork.
Finding moments for collaboration outside of the classroom.
Informal pin-up and critique spaces are woven into the fabric of the corridors. An extension of the main stair forms an informal critique area. Within the entry lobby and lower level of the Commons Cube, pivoting walls offer pin-up space and can be closed to form a flexible classroom. Informal gathering spaces are located along the circulation spine to encourage chance meetings and social interaction. Transparent and translucent materials bring daylight into the corridors and reveal the activities within the studios.
Let's aim for
extraordinary
together
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