Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota, believes that exposure to the arts is important for all of their students, staff and surrounding community and wanted to create a space that inspired that philosophy. For the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center the design team transformed the existing music building and central commons built in 1963 into a collaborative space for the entire college. Sustainable products used include Forbo flooring which uses rapidly renewable resources, Shaw carpet which is Cradle to Cradle (c2c) certified, ceramic tile from Interceramics that is 40% recycled material, no-VOC paints, reclaimed woods, LED lighting and C2C furniture from CXCX. Final, gender neutral signage was used throughout for all restrooms.
The new Arts Commons creates an inclusive front door to the arts community on campus. Inspired by an informal village square the Commons attracts students and visitors from all sides of campus into it’s energetic, sun dappled gathering space. The space organizes circulation between the fine arts buildings and provides display space for student and faculty art work. The warmth of the materials, accent lighting and comfortable furniture draws students and faculty in from all over campus as a social hub and meeting space. The flexibility of the space also allows to serve as a popular spot for community events.
The new Arts Commons creates an inclusive front door to the arts community on campus. Inspired by an informal village square the Commons attracts students and visitors from all sides of campus into it’s energetic, sun dappled gathering space. The space organizes circulation between the fine arts buildings and provides display space for student and faculty art work. The warmth of the materials, accent lighting and comfortable furniture draws students and faculty in from all over campus as a social hub and meeting space. The flexibility of the space also allows to serve as a popular spot for community events.
The Music Building and Concert Hall renovation reconfigured and transformed the space into a state of the art facility with increased size, functionality and flexibility. Connected to the commons, the concert hall is surrounded by undulating red-oak wood slats in a pattern inspired by the idea of polyrhythm to create a staccato textures. Similar aspects of this patterning was then brought into other design elements including the floor finishes, pendant lighting, signage and the exterior facade.
