A variety of shapes, textures and materials make the building itself part of the art.

RICHMOND CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS: A MASTERPIECE OF COLLABORATION.

Project Overview

Name: Richmond Center for Visual Arts
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Project Type: New Construction
Square Footage: 44,200 sf
CSM Project Director: Tim Ankney
Owner’s Representative: Doug Lloyd
Designer: Smith Group
Project Architect: Chris Purdy
Completion Date: January, 2007

Since long before its dedication ceremony on April 12, the brand new Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University has been collecting more than its share of compliments. The structure is a marvelous blend of functionality and artistic design that befits the creative and dynamic student endeavors it will house. But its simplicity will allow it to “present” that work without overshadowing it. Among the most beautiful aspects of the project are the careful planning and thoughtful cooperation evidenced in its concept, design, and construction.

Architect Carl Roehling of SmithGroup calls it “a vessel that brings together light, art, and people.” It will unite many other elements, as well.

For years, the departments involved in visual arts at WMU occupied a variety of different locations. The Richmond Center and the accompanying renovation of Kohrman Hall will finally allow the student artists and faculty in Fine Arts and other creative disciplines to interact and exchange ideas in a warm and welcoming cultural environment that encourages the creative spirit to flow freely.

As Tim Ankney, Group Vice President of CSM Group, the project’s Construction Manager, put it, “They’ll finally feel like they have a home.”

A complex project, by design.

The Richmond Center for Visual Arts contains exhibit space, public areas, offices, and two lecture halls. And like most of the artwork to be displayed inside, it involves a lot more than what first meets the eye, and its construction presented many interesting challenges.

Some of them were technical; for example, many deep utility lines had to be relocated, and the building itself was constructed over a large steam tunnel that provides service throughout the campus. A special bridge system was designed to allow heavy equipment to cross the tunnels safely.

In addition, the new building is connected to Kohrman Hall, the Dalton Center, and the Miller Auditorium parking ramp by enclosed walkways. Since these walkways would block passage of large construction equipment, workers had to start in the middle and “build their way out.”

Finally, the creative use of materials and designs in the construction also added to the complexity. Pre-cast components with copper and zinc sheathing were used for the walls that form the building envelope, and large areas of glass meant extensive glazing. The inside floors of integrally-colored black concrete were poured early on; but since they serve as the finished floor, they required extensive protection throughout construction.

Jeff Taggart, Project Manager for CSM Group, feels the extra touches were well worth it.

“There is not another building around that really compares to it, with copper roofing, zinc and copper siding, black concrete floors and bare pre-cast walls,” he said. “It will stand out, and I think that it will give the art students a new sense of pride.”

In another example of creative thinking, one potential limitation was turned into an inspirational benefit. A land area that had to remain structure-free for storm water drainage purposes became an 18,000-square-foot sculpture garden, much to the delight of the campus art community.

Kohrman Hall metamorphosis underway.

To provide nearby workspace and support facilities for student artists, a portion of Kohrman Hall is now undergoing a complete renovation of its own. While the shell remains, the interior has basically been gutted. The new uses of the building will require all new walls, roof, and electrical and mechanical systems.

This part of the project—scheduled for completion in fall 2007—has its own complexities. The fact that it will house extensive painting studios and an indoor kiln for curing sculpted works has implications for proper ventilation and thermal insulation to help protect students from effects of long-term exposure.

This part of the project holds special attraction for Ankney, himself a WMU alumnus who took several classes in Kohrman Hall during his college years.

“It’s like coming home again. I walk through and think, ‘Hey, I sat there in that very room.’ It’s a little sad, but it’s exciting to think we’re preparing it for future generations of students, too,” Ankney said.

An “artist’s conception” in more ways than one.

CSM Group enjoyed extensive preconstruction involvement in the project. And, while building owners sometimes have difficulty interpreting drawings and renderings, this group was different, according to Ankney. “

The team got together early on with department heads in the School of Art to make sure the building would meet or exceed their expectations. It was wonderful that these people, with their creative orientation, were able to visualize so well the things we were proposing and provide input. It was interesting and refreshing. And it helped make the building even better.”