갤러리와 스튜디오 그리고 아티스트의 레지던스 겸 작업실을
하나로 묶는 복합 공간.
생산과 소비의 근본적인 루트를 집약함으로써 유통으로 발생하는
손실을 최대한 감쇄시킬 수 있는 공간의 형태으로 볼 수 있다.
앨빈토플러의 말처럼 지금은 생산자와 소비자가 이원화되지 않고
생산과 소비를 동시에 이루는 프로슈머 시대로 변화하고 있다.
이러한 생활패턴은 거대한 단일집단을 수용하는 일반적인 오피스가
아닌 특성화된 소규모의 그룹을 수용 할 수 있는 형태의
공간을 바랄 것이다. 이러한 현상은 거대 빌딩들의 임대율이
점점 낮아지고 있는 현상에서도 찾아 볼 수 있다.
나는 건축가와 디자이너에게 마케터를 바라는 것이 아니라
세상을 읽는 눈을 바란다. 그래서 무차별적으로 자행하고 있는
무지향적인 거대한 상업공간 그리고 주거공간에
대하여 심도 있는 고민이 필요하다고 느낀다.
reviewed by SJ
The fundamental challenge in this project was determining how to
maintain continuity and coherence with the character of the existing
industrial warehouse buildings at Bergamot Station without compromising
formal and material experimentation and innovation. Thus, this project
evolved as a carefully considered response to its context: a primary
palette of materials was established with regard to the existing
industrial materials at the site. Corrugated metal, steel and glass
blend in with the surrounding context while cold rolled steel and
translucent lexan panels create moments of distinction in the details of
the building that set it apart and help establish its idiosyncratic
identity. The building takes advantage of its unique siting amongst the
industrial landscape. Nestled in between existing warehouse buildings on
a narrow site, the facade facing the interior of the site unfolds
itself gracefully along a canted corrugated metal plane that extends
itself into the residual space produced by the adjacent buildings. The
facade is further animated by window boxes and planes articulated as
volumes unto themselves, which push and pull from the facades primary
folds. The formal geometries and material richness of this facade have a
dynamic effect on the leftover space-turning what was once experienced
as in between and perhaps undefined space into one that now flourishes
as a kind of courtyard or piazza for itself and the surrounding
buildings. In fact, this residual space is now often used to host
outdoor receptions and special events.
The building's south
facing facade which fronts the public street provides a personality foil
for its more geometrically complex and dynamic counterpart on the Arts
Complex facing facade. More reserved yet still sculpturally articulate;
the formal resolution of this elevation is calmer and more grounded. A
flat plane of corrugated metal is broken by pristine rectangular volumes
of lexan, concrete block, cold rolled steel and glass which recede to
varying degrees creating a constrained yet elegant relief and textural
complexity. The exterior of this building never strays to far from its
industrial origins and therefore maintains a respectful coherence with
its context. Yet, the architects still capitalize on each contextual and
formal opportunity in order to create distinction and enhancement for
the site and its surrounding context.
The interior of the
building is simply organized. The ground floor features an open plan
that allows maximum flexibility of use and reuse. Simply treated in its
finishes and details, the ground floor interior is conceived as a vessel
for program to animate. A separate entrance leads to the three artist
loft units above. Each of these maximizes its potential for spaciousness
and light while also creating moments of intimacy and enclosure. Each
unit has a fluidity of space and circulation that creates a sensation of
open airiness even though they are flanked between buildings on either
side and only feature minimal windows to the outside from within the
units. Each interior is deliberately treated as a simple volume or shell
in which the distinct elements of the space can more clearly emerge.
Polished concrete floors create a uniform field condition at the ground
plane. Plainly painted drywall walls and an exposed steel truss and
metal deck roof system continue the effect of creating a quiet
background field in which feature elements can construct spatial and
textural complexity.
Each unit is split level. Public spaces are
on the primary level while a bedroom space occupies a loft, which
overlooks the public living space. By organizing this split-level
condition, the architects could create a double height space, which adds
to the feeling of vastness in each unit. While occupying the most
private, intimate comer of the unit, each bedroom area is awash in light
from a continuous band of skylights along one edge of the building. The
double height space on the level below is left uncluttered and open
while bathroom; kitchen and circulation cores are tucked into the space
below the loft. The space becomes most animated in its details, which
distinctly emerge from the more tranquil background. Two flights of wood
and steel stairs stand across from each other. Sculptural presences-one
leads to a balcony space, the other to the sleeping lofts. When viewed
in juxtaposition, they hold each other in poetic balance, one larger and
dominant, the other more petite yet solid. In another unit, a poured in
place concrete fireplace acts as an anchor to the open plan, which
unfolds around it.
Consistent throughout this project is the
desire to create a space that capitalizes on its ability to create an
elegant and refreshing fluidity and coherence appropriate to its context
while also inserting elements of distinction and complexity that help
create this building's unique personality.
