The Art Incubator is designed with the goal of creating both a visually stimulating and a physically interactive space for museum-goers in one cohesive structure. The surrounding site and its buildings are on a box-like grid, with typical rectangular buildings built throughout the neighborhood. The Art Incubator juxtaposes the box-like form of its neighbors with its curves and organic form. The facade’s design is informed by topography, which is then translated to the interior space. The organic form throughout the building guides how visitors might move through the space while encouraging exploration with the topographic floors.
The Art Incubator consists of a gallery, archive, studio, and office. Though there are “designated” spaces for each program, the usage of topographic floors and an open floor plan with minimal walls help create more ambiguous spaces that can be utilized for other events. There is an abundance of natural light due to the wooden slats and glass.
The building’s entrance is accessible with an elevator and stairs and the first floor is lifted above ground level, generating space for public use on the street level 24/7. The enclosure system loosely emulates the topography of Syracuse and would allow for a blending between public and private space on the ground floor, thus encouraging social activity and engagement with and within downtown Syracuse.
WOW, so stunning