Akron Art Museum
The new 63,300 square foot John S. and James L. Knight Building connects with the museum’s existing 1899 Building, a 21,000 square foot Renaissance revival structure, which originally served as the downtown Akron Post Office. The expansion dramatically increases the museum’s ability to originate and present special exhibitions and display major, rarely seen works of art from its collection. The new building also increases facilities for education programs for students of all ages and public programs for adults and families. The new Akron Art Museum is playing a vital role in the continuing renaissance of downtown Akron. (dezeen)
Good to know:
- 63,300 square feet
- $35M project cost
- Coop Himmelb(l)au architects
Coop Himmelb(l)au is known for their striking designs, but the interior spaces in this project received mixed reviews.
Another thing to note is that the Akron Art Museum was established in that city’s post office. It’s a reminder of what we could have done with one our own premier architectural assets instead of demolishing it. The Elgin Post Office, which was centrally located in the downtown was a beautiful Beaux-Art structure. It could have been the start of our own art museum, but at one point it got a little dirty and people clamored for its demolition. Something similar happened to the Crocker Theater.
See also:
- Boston’s ICA by Diller + Scofidio - a $41M art museum project
- Museum projects
- We need an art museum
- Does Elgin need a Bilbao effect
- The genius of J. Irwin Miller
- Nerman Museum
Possibly related posts:
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When I think about the beautiful buildings that used to be in Elgin and are no longer, I wonder about the minds of those that wished them torn down. That watch factory would have made awsome loft condos and you are right, the post office would have been a lovely Art museum. I am hoping for good things for the Cook Building. I liked your idea about recruiting Judson College making use of it.
The watch factory could have been amazing for a lot of stuff: ArtSpace Elgin (housing for artists), lofts, galleries, studios, even a museum like Mass MoCA.
We demolished the watch factory in I think 1966. Just a few years after that, people in Alexandria Virginia had a similar problem: a big empty factory. Instead of demolishing it, though, they turned it into the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
“In 1969, the City of Alexandria bought the complex of buildings from the Federal Government…Marian Van Landingham proposed a project that would renovate the building into working studio spaces for artists. Van Landingham was President of the Art League at the time…Her proposal was endorsed by the Commission. …and the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association was born.
Work began on the building in May of 1974, with artist volunteers and City personnel working together to remove the debris of 55 years. Bulldozers and firehoses were initially needed and 40 truckloads of debris were eventually removed. Studio walls were built, electricity and plumbing expanded. The entire exterior was repainted. By July, artists had converted the huge space into a complex of bright and clean studios. Most of the studio spaces had been reserved by that time from a list of juried artists. On September 15, 1974, the Torpedo Factory Art Center opened to the public.”