__  3

THIS PROPOSAL IMAGINES A NEW CENTER FOR THE MUNICIPAL ARTS SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, LOCATED AT AN URBAN CROSSROAD––W.13TH + GANSEVOORT STREET. AS THE ORIGIN POINT OF THESE CORRIDORS, THE SITE SERVES A WAY-FINDING DEVICE––AN ICON THAT STANDS OUT AMONGST THE COPIOUS GLASS AND STEEL ARCHITECTURE THAT HAS BECOME THE MATERIAL PALATE OF THE AREA. 

​

THE MUNICIPAL ARTS SOCIETY REQUIRES A SIMPLE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE SPACE AND A PUBLIC FORUM TO SERVE ARCHIVAL NEEDS AND AS PLACE OF SOCIAL CONNECTION. BY EXCAVATING THE CORNER CONDITION OF THE SITE, SPACE WAS PROVIDED FOR A COURTYARD. THE DESIGN PLAYS WITH THE HEAVINESS OF LARGE, EXTERIOR, MASONRY WALLS, WHILE THE INTERIOR COLLECTS LIGHT FROM THE PORTALS CARVED AROUND THE BUILDING PERIMETER. 

​

CIRCULATION WRAPS AROUND THE BUILDING'S CORE, WHICH SIMULTANEOUSLY ACTS AS AN ARCHIVAL TOWER FOR M.A.S., TO ELEVATE IT ABOVE THE OPEN, PUBLIC SPACE BELOW––ALLOWING MOVEMENT TO BRUSH ALONG BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNCTIONS. THE MASSIVE WALLS ARE USED AS A CANVAS FOR LIGHT AND FRAMED PERSPECTIVES WITHIN THE CAVERNOUS ATRIUM WITH CAREFULLY SCULPTED VIEWS OF THE CITY BEYOND.