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BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER
Solidifying a community and strengthening ties to past, present, and future. By Jacquelyn Astorga Fall 2013
The driving concept behind this project is the rich and unique history of the Bridgeport neighborhood. This Southside Chicago neighborhood has a longstanding culture of hard working people, often called “Hardscrabblers”. Gentrification in this area has been slow, as longtime residents are resistant to change, but it is taking place. An appreciation for the arts is growing –especially as well known artist neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Logan Square and Pilsen become overcrowded and increasingly expensive.
There is an opportunity here to honor the rich history of the neighborhood and its people, while also welcoming in a growing population of artists. The goal behind this design is to build upon the existing structure and programs create improvements without overhauling the community center that people know and love.
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BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER ARTIST RESIDENCES
While several of the programs I designed already exist, I wanted to set the bar just a little bit higher. Currently, there are many studios that do not have ceiling height walls. The studios where artists live and work are on a public way and so visitors can witness the private lives of the artists instead of their work. I wanted to create a space where artists living in the studios could feel comfortable, and feel like they were not on display. In the same vein, I did not want visitors to feel uncomfortable and as if they are intruding on someone’s private dwelling. The feel of the spaces are meant to be raw, unfinished and collaged together. In the same way that we accumulate the pieces of our lives over a period of time, I wanted the Bridgeport Art Center to speak to its past while also having a bright outlook on its future.
Apartment Living Room
Community Workshop
Apartment Bedroom
B One concern I wanted to address was the feeling of otherness when visiting the Bridgeport Art Center as it stands now. As an outsider, one visiting the gallery feels almost like they are intruding on a private home. There is no real public face to the art center, and the only thing to welcome visitors in and encourage their participation is the signage on the doors and in stairwells. By creating programs that have a reliance on public traffic, my goal was to create a gateway for new visitors to enter the center, as well as give them a place where they have equal footing. The coffee shop and restaurant draw visitors in and make them feel comfortable. The workshop classrooms allow visitors the opportunity to interact with local artists in a face to face setting, and act as an avenue for new members to join the community.
Cafe Exterior
B When I first chose the building for this project I was looking for a warehouse building to convert into loft apartments. I was more concerned with the look and feel of the final project and less about the meaning behind it all. After doing more research and getting to know the building and art center, I realized that there was a definite need that my design could address. The art center is an amazing place already, offering access to many community events and exposure to multiple cultures. I did not want my programming to take away or replace any of the existing programs, but instead to enhance them, adding to the quality of the experience that can already be had.
Restaurant Exterior
Gallery Walkway
Restaurant Interior