New York-based SO-IL, together with Architectuurstudio HH (AHH) and ABT, has unveiled details of their shortlisted design for Arnhem’s highly-anticipated ArtA cultural center. One of four shortlisted proposals, SO-IL’s “energy-neutral” building aims to serve as a transformative link that connects the inner city to the Rhine River. “Generous and flexible programmatic volumes,” which were shaped by the surrounding context, are designed “support the production and experience of culture, as well as create a place for reflection and wonder – a transportive experience.”
“The design is as an open and flexible structure, a ‘loose coat’ of sorts,” described SO-IL. “A multitude of spatial nuances in daylight, height, proportion, allow the building to adapt to an ever-changing culture-scape making it a productive place for both experimental and established forms of visual art, cinema and design. These ‘micro-environments’ within the building reach a new mode of flexibility offering ArtA an endless catalogue of possibilities. The atrium, for example, can easily adjust to house a space for video projections, an art class, a book fair, or a fashion show.
“While the new ArtA building will be a platform for culture in the world, it will also offer a place to slow down and reflect. As a ‘cloud,’ the building rests just above street level, full of surprises for the visitor to discover. A large staircase leads the visitor deep into the heart of this new three-dimensional world of light and shade, intimate and grand vistas. Stairs, balconies, openings, views offer a plurality of spatial experiences and relationships. Strategic openings give onto the city, the Rhine, and the landscape offering a whole new perspective for Arnhem.”
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Architects: SO-IL, Architectuurstudio HH (AHH)
Location: Meijnerswijk 5, 6841 HA Arnhem, The Netherlands
Architects In Charge: Florian Idenburg (Principal), Jing Liu (Principal), Ilias Papageorgiou (Associate Principal)
Collaborator: ABT
Client: The Municipality of Arnhem
Area: 8480.0 sqm
Photographs: SO–IL
SO-IL Shortlisted to Design Arnhem's ArtA Cultural Center originally appeared on ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website on 20 Feb 2014.
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