Central City Millworks and Hal Collums Construction teamed up to bring the artistic vision of Wayne Troyer Architects into reality. The completed work impressed the Louisiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects sufficiently for them to present an Award of Merit for the project.
In their Fall 2009 issue of the AIALA News, the association stated:
The primary concern in the gallery design was to highlight historic elements, while providing a clean, crisp surface on which to display artwork. Retention revelation of masonry walls and wood columns provide the unique sense of time and place in New Orleans, while new materials create an understated drama in which to showcase installations.
The main gallery features floating gypsum display walls: Existing masonry is exposed along the top, bottom, and sides, adding perceived spatial depth and the impression that the gallery itself may be an installation. Concealed lighting runs above a knife-edged cove, with a recessed track below. Existing heavy timber columns—once an elevator shaft—are a focal point at the entry: stretched Dacron sail material between the columns is backlit for dramatic effect from the street.
A seamless, poured resin floor knits all programmatic elements together, flowing continuously throughout the space. At the passageway between old and new galleries, a surround of backlit resin panels signals a transition, contrasting against the weight of the exposed masonry wall and smooth gypsum. Sliding translucent panels provide privacy for support spaces (without adding visual weight to the gallery) and reinforce spatial continuity.
