| At the edge of Pasadena Art Center College of Design has taken over a building complex that was once a supersonic wind tunnel dedicated to the study and evaluation of aircraft. The first South Campus Building, which is the transformation of this 100,000 sf, 1940's concrete and wood truss structure, is a signature project for the extension of the Art Center campus.
The main space of the complex hosts the event space - an all purpose exhibit, conference, and display space that is the heart of the building. Surrounding it are smaller adjacent buildings that are renovated to contain the new headquarters for the Graduate Fine Arts Program, the Public Education Programs, and the Archetype Press.
The essential elements of the concrete structure were extracted by water-blasting the exterior bringing the aggregate materials to the surface. All of the interior surfaces were stripped to their most fundamental state- including the concrete, the walls, the floors, and the wood truss ceiling in the main gallery. |
