Tomayko Foundation Art Gallery
The Tomayko Foundation charged the design team with renovating an existing building that had previously been an auto-service station and medical office and transforming it into a contemporary art exhibition space. The collaborative design process created a welcoming, multi-functional space that could be used for public exhibition & art events. The architecture juxtaposes a newly constructed 1,000 sf gallery space with the existing 2,150 sf existing facility renovation. The site design transformed an old parking lot into a lively welcome plaza that contributes to a busy neighborhood that is experiencing revitalization.
Project Team
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- Owner
- Tomayko Foundation
- Services
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Construction Administration
- Completion Date
- September 2023
- Project Size
- 3,150 SF
- Teaming Partners
- MR Structures, LLC - Structural Engineering
- Caplan Engineering Company - Electrical Engineering
- Pedicone Engineering Consultants - Mechanical & Plumbing Engineering
- J Frank Studios - Landscaping
PROJECT CHALLENGES AND OUTCOMES
Challenges
The existing structure occupied a smaller footprint on the site, with most of the area dedicated to parking. The exterior employed glass block windows that were structurally failing, filling with rainwater, and obstructing views to the interior. An additional challenge in the renovation presented itself in the form of three different structural framing systems – wood, steel, and concrete – that needed to be maintained in the renovation.
Outcomes
The renovation consists of a reprograming of the original interior and an addition that extends towards Liberty Avenue. The parking lot has been transformed into a welcome plaza to create a natural entry sequence framed by the addition and the tree that was preserved during construction. The failing glass block facade has been replaced with clear glazing to increase visual connectivity between interior and exterior.
At the site, guests will enter an exterior plaza framed by the new gallery addition and the significant tree that was preserved during construction. These two elements form a natural arrival sequence that directs guests to the interior of the building whether approaching from either street. The exterior plaza and the interior entry lobby become a blended space that is welcoming to gallery visitors and all additional passersby. Views and daylight spill into the interior seamlessly through the round lobby space and into the offices further within. Immediately adjacent to the entry lobby is a view corridor that extends into the gallery space. Visitors will catch a glimpse of the artwork inside as they progress deeper into the main gallery.
