The WEL Senior Comprehensive & Competition Studio Proposal: Artist Colony, Studio & Exhibition Space Faculty: Annette Lecuyer Group Member: Andre Assis [andreass@buffalo.edu] Finalist for Senior Competition
Located in Allentown Buffalo, the facility augments the thriving arts community. This urban art colony includes apartments for residential fellowships of 1-3 months, together with studio spaces for both fellows and local artists. The south-facing living units, together with a rooftop bar and terrace for the artists who live and work in the building, are situated along Allen Street, while open plan flexible studio floors face the north. A triple-height entrance lobby on Allen Street leads to a ground level public cafe and a skylit atrium at the heart of the building, where a monumental stair leading to public galleries on the second floor also serves as an informal auditorium for performances and events. The atrium, dividing the living and studio zones, links the public spaces on the lower levels with private realm on upper floors. Open stairs crisscross the void, so that artists pass back and forth through the atrium as they move between their dwellings and workspaces. The site cast concrete building, like a daylight factory, has a robust industrial character. Panels of stainless steel mesh veil the north and south faces of the atrium, providing artists with privacy, while allowing views into the public realm. The west atrium wall flanking the vertical circulation core is a hydroponic green wall, which helps to filter air in the building. The Main Street facade of the studio block likewise has stainless steel mesh external sunshading, while on Allen Street, the more open residential facade is defined by an exposed site cast concrete wrapper and recessed glazing. Ghera