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UNVEIL

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Bienenstock Student Design Competition

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Niagara Falls, NY | 5000 sf

6 Weeks | Fall 2022

The powerful force of the Niagara River played a vital role in the prosperity of the Rust Belt. Hydroelectricity harnessed from the falls fueled mills and factories during industrialization. Today, a budding fine arts community holds a promising future in these areas. Unveil is centered around the power of art. A constant flow of new ideas and creations electrifies the gallery and its community. Inspired by the impressive rapids and falls, the gallery’s design aims to create a space that supports the constant flow of new creations and exhibitions. Varying displays provide artists with the flexibility to not just showcase individual pieces but rather create an immersive experience. The gallery provides innovative and flexible displays to accommodate all mediums of art and allow users to explore unique exhibits as they constantly change throughout the year. Glass partitions throughout the space allow for works to be unveiled to users as they meander throughout the space. This will encourage exploration, conversation, and inspire other artists showcase their own work in the space, leading to a constant cascade of new works flowing through the space. Ultimately, visitors will flow through a cascade of exhibits that highlight the power of the up-and-coming arts community.

Unveil is located in Niagara Falls, NY. The town is home to a dedicated arts community in need of space where artists and visitors can come together to celebrate the power of art. During industrialization, innovators discovered the ability to harness hydroelectricity from the falls. In a similar way, this gallery empowers the local arts community. The design provides innovative and flexible displays, inspired by the falls, which accommodate all mediums of art. Overall, the space will encourage exploration, conversation, and inspire other artists showcase their own work.

Spatial Planning

The gallery’s spatial arrangement encourages the stream of visitors to float through the gallery. The central glass veil appears to fall through the second to reach the ground level. Other glass veils and wayfinding techniques used on the floor offer various exhibition spaces and guide visitors on a fixed path of circulation. This willl allow artists to reveal different works as they progress through the space.

Material Selection

Material selections take inspiration from Niagara Falls both figuratively and literally. Glass partitions represent falling water through color, form, and transparency. The partitions are inspired by the work of sculptor Danny Lane, whose sculptures resemble waves through the use of ribboned glass. Stone materials such as dolomite and limestone are directly derived from the layers of sedimentary rock which make up Niagara Falls. Dolomite is used as a countertop material in both the gallery and residential kitchens. The limestone floor has been stained blue to create a stream that meanders through the gallery and guides users around the different exhibition spaces.

A variation of glass veils create distinct areas in the gallery. Each area features track lighitng, adequate wall space, and varrying pedistal sizes to accomodate all mediums of art. The partitions are beneficial to curators because they provide flexibilty and customizaton for showcasing work. The stream on the floor compliments the arrangement of partitions to create paths for visitors to follow when exploring the space. Curators can use this to their advantage when designing their ideal viewing experience for the user. As visitors rove through the gallery, works are unveiled to them along the way.

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