Architecture
AKRON ART HOUSE
Design Studio III – Fall 2021
Project Description
The small town of Akron, Colorado was at one point a bustling stop along the railroads that built our nation, but as those lines faded, it became one of many ex-industrial hubs scattered across the plains. My own sense of community in moving constantly through towns just like this came from involvement in local arts as a way to truly learn and involve myself with any new place I may find myself in
To develop a new sense of community for the town and respond to local government’s concerns over “delinquent youths in parking lots”, this project was a proposal for a community center and art gallery. By showcasing local artists and becoming a modular and open space, the community center invites the spread of knowledge, culture, and develop a new social space for a largely disgruntled demographic
The center’s large spire is the only hint of a set of roots which creep into the neglected back alleys of the old town center. Walled garden galleries, lowered apertures and the use of the ubiquitous CMU block hide the true purpose of the building to entice visitors to explore a part of town that has been largely forgotten. Taking inspiration from Denver hangouts such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Art Student’s League of Denver, this acts as a social experience with a rooftop cafe offering a unique view of Akron’s industrial history.