Great post, but I'm not concerned so much over a break in the street wall to highlight this (that would be fine) but rather that this will be too removed and separated from Broadway that they might as well still be at Fair Park.

Yeah, I can see that, but I guess the intent is to keep Campbell Park (it is technically a park after all) and to program it similar to the current Orly Genger installation, making it a bit of a contemplative buffer between the museum grounds and the street. I understand points of view. Not sure I feel strongly one way or the other in this instance. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together as a finished product.

Wait...we have streetwalls?

I should have referred to it as a theoretical street wall. :D

http://www.okctalk.com/content/132-showroom-oklahoma-contemporary-set-open-near-auto-alley.html

So when is ground breaking on the main structure? 2016? 2017?

The Downtown future home of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center will feature four-story building | News OK (http://newsok.com/the-downtown-future-home-of-oklahoma-contemporary-arts-center-will-feature-four-story-building/article/5427327)

Besides Steve providing the first good look at final plans for the museum, it also has a video of Rand Elliott discussing the building and the thought that went into it.

It feels like the Dallas Arts District in the 90s.

It's really weird to me that they are leaving the underutilized site at Park Place alone, which will stand between this and A-Alley.

Bunch of new renderings (also in the article at the top of the page):

OKCTalk - OK Contemporary unveils plans for new downtown museum and campus (http://www.okctalk.com/content/177-ok-contemporary-unveils.html)

This building is going to be so frigging cool when it gets built. Totally unique!

Anyone on here been to The British Museum ? It's set back in the front and barricaded all the way around it. It must be just terrible too.

Sounds like a nice gateway stop for commuter rail service in the future.

Press release:


Kirkpatrick Foundation Presents $1 Million Check
to Oklahoma Contemporary at 60th Anniversary Event

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 23, 2015) - At a Nov. 17 event honoring the Kirkpatrick Foundation's 60th anniversary, the organization presented a $1 million gift to Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center's Capital Campaign.

"Many of Oklahoma City's cultural institutions can trace their origins to the Kirkpatrick Foundation, and so it is with great pleasure that we continue this legacy with a $1 million gift to Oklahoma Contemporary to assist in their efforts to build a new building at 11th and Broadway," said Louisa McCune, Kirkpatrick Foundation's executive director.

Oklahoma Contemporary is raising $26 million to build a new arts education, exhibition and performance center on a 4.6-acre site at NW 11th and Broadway. The arts campus will feature a new 50,000-square-foot building, filled with classrooms, galleries and event space; a renovated 10,000-square-foot building for Industrial Arts; a three-block arts park; and space for outdoor exhibitions, education programs and public performances. Learn more about the campus here.

The $1 million gift is part of a larger $10 million commitment from the Kirkpatrick philanthropies, including $8 million from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

Donna Rinehart-Keever, Oklahoma Contemporary's executive director, emphasized the close ties between the organizations. "The Kirkpatrick Foundation's first grant was to help found our organization in 1989, and the Kirkpatrick Family Fund has steadfastly supported our operations with generous annual grants," she said. "Now, the two foundations have joined together as leadership donors for our $26 million campaign to build a new arts education center and cultural destination for Oklahoma."

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center has taken the first formal step to move it's facility from the fairgrounds to a new location just north of Automobile Alley near downtown Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/contemp.jpg


The group and their architect Rand Elliott have submitted detailed plans to obtain the required certificate of approval from the Downtown Design Review Committee.

The 4.6 acre campus at NW 12th and Broadway would feature a new 51,000 square foot building, a renovated 10,000 square foot structure and a large amount of outdoor space. They also hope to incorporate bordering Campbell Park in various ways.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okcon1.jpg

The Kirkpatrick Family Fund owns the underlying property and is planning to execute a long-term ground lease to the arts group.

Oklahoma contemporary revealed preliminary plans in June of last year, at which time it launched a capital campaign to raise funds for the new campus.

The modern main building will will house the OK Contemporary offices, art galleries, an art storage area, classrooms, a performance space and a ballet rehearsal studio.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okcon2.jpg

There will be no demolition apart from a parking lot on the west side of the site.

Elliott's “folding light” design incorporates metal panels and sharp angles which the architect believes will be the northern gateway to downtown.

Unlike traditional museums, Oklahoma Contemporary does not collect art but rather focuses on visual and performing arts education for youth, teens and adults.

The group commissioned a study in 2011 that found their mission could better be served by relocating to an area closer to downtown.

The plans will be considered by the review committee on July 21st.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okcon3.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okcon5.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okcon11.jpg

These plans were submitted the day before Rand Elliott strongly argued against the Broadway Park project directly to the south.

^^^^^^^^
Just to be clear, this project is not subject to the same design guidelines that the other property is held to. The are each on opposite sides of the DBD/DTD-1 planning boundary.

As a part of the DBD district the Broadway Park building has an obligation to draw its design cues from the district to the south (Automobile Alley), and doesn't yet do a great job of this.

As a part of DTD-1 (downtown transitional district) Oklahoma Contemporary has much more latitude. Most of Midtown is DTD-1, for example, which is why you see much more forgiving reviews for stuff like 1212 Walker (Waffle Champion). The idea is that DTD bridges the gap between urban and more suburban, so can incorporate elements of both.

I'm not saying Broadway Park has been handled the right way, but I think the issue is that Planning sort of abdicated is official role and let an UNofficial entity drive the discussion. Rand isn't all wrong about Broadway Park. It does a poor job of relating to Automobile Alley. Oklahoma Contemporary, on the other hand, has no such obligation.

I know the boundary may seem arbitrary, but if you step back and look at surrounding cohesive building stock it makes sense. When these districts were created, MUCH thought went into them.

Anyway, some misinformation has been creeping into this discussion, and I hope that clears it up for some.

I'll probably be in the minority here, but I HATE that design.

All that off-street parking in such an urban location...

I'll probably be in the minority here, but I HATE that design.

I think I understand his intent, but it feels extremely closed off and anti-urban. Very little interaction with the street... little glazing, few doors, etc. The main entry is in what I'd call the rear of the structure; it turns its back to the the urban world around it.

I am not an architect nor an urbanist so this is is strictly a layman's opinion but this building is not inviting at all. Nothing about it it engages the person outside. I always liked the stage center design and didn't understand those that thought it looked like an industrial eyesore. I understand that position now. Hopefully it looks better once built.

I understand the concept of the boundary, but IMO Broadway Park would help ease the transition from AA to this monstrosity. I've never had a strong opinion of Elliot's work either way, but after he inserted his massive ego into the BP process after the DDRC staff recommended its approval I have no respect for him.

I'll probably be in the minority here, but I HATE that design.

I agree. I think it needs balconies. Huge, Gotti balconies...

It looks like son of stage center to me

It looks like son of stage center to me

My first thought when I saw it was Stage Center!

I think it looks terrible. I hope the finished product is much better in person.

This shows the relationship of the two buildings being discussed:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/broadwayparkair.jpg

It's clear that Rand Elliot spends much more time designing buildings than he does spend time in the buildings he has designed.

I respect Rand's work and he has brought a unique style to Oklahoma with the boathouses among other projects. The following is meant as constructive criticism and not a personal attack in any way.

One thing he regularly does in his own developments is ignore walkability, context, and function at the expense of design. For example, he designed Classen Curve as a walkable, outdoor shopping center and then sprawled it out so much that it's really not very walkable. I doubt many people make the walk from Red Coyote to Upper Crust because despite the (large) storefronts, it's actually a fairly uninteresting walk. The design is great, but it doesn't function well, which is likely at least part of the reason why there are store spaces that have yet to be filled after years of being completed. It's probably the same reason pedestrians have to walk in the street or grass in the boathouse district to move east/west as the sidewalks are meant to fit the design, not be functional.

The same problems exist with this development. Oklahoma Contemporary is at the northern boundary of a walkable district that will likely (hopefully) continue to expand north. Yet, this design, while interesting, is totally uninviting to pedestrians. Instead of pushing the building out to the boundaries of the sidewalks, he pulled the building away from where people walk in a very suburban manner. The building is inappropriate for a walkable context.

And I think that's why it's frustrating for him to critique a quality development that brings life to Automobile Alley -- he doesn't do that in his own developments.

I respect Urbanized a lot so I'll assume there are some things I don't get (I'm an amateur with this stuff) about why the Broadway Park design is inappropriate, but it seems like a homerun to me. And I really like the idea of balconies adding eyes and life to that part of the district.

Like many designs, this to me will depend heavily on the quality of materials used.

I respect Rand's work and he has brought a unique style to Oklahoma with the boathouses among other projects. The following is meant as constructive criticism and not a personal attack in any way.

One thing he regularly does in his own developments is ignore walkability, context, and function at the expense of design. For example, he designed Classen Curve as a walkable, outdoor shopping center and then sprawled it out so much that it's really not very walkable. I doubt many people make the walk from Red Coyote to Upper Crust because despite the (large) storefronts, it's actually a fairly uninteresting walk. The design is great, but it doesn't function well, which is likely at least part of the reason why there are store spaces that have yet to be filled after years of being completed. It's probably the same reason pedestrians have to walk in the street or grass in the boathouse district to move east/west as the sidewalks are meant to fit the design, not be functional.

The same problems exist with this development. Oklahoma Contemporary is at the northern boundary of a walkable district that will likely (hopefully) continue to expand north. Yet, this design, while interesting, is totally uninviting to pedestrians. Instead of pushing the building out to the boundaries of the sidewalks, he pulled the building away from where people walk in a very suburban manner. The building is inappropriate for a walkable context.

And I think that's why it's frustrating for him to critique a quality development that brings life to Automobile Alley -- he doesn't do that in his own developments.

I respect Urbanized a lot so I'll assume there are some things I don't get (I'm an amateur with this stuff) about why the Broadway Park design is inappropriate, but it seems like a homerun to me. And I really like the idea of balconies adding eyes and life to that part of the district.

Yes. All of this, yes.

A Rand Elliott project WITH TREES!

a number of those trees already exist. however I suspect they will tear them up and replace them with Rand Elliot designed trees that are balcony free.

Maybe there is something I'm missing, and I always like Elliott's designs, but I am not a fan of these renderings. This building strongly resembles the North Building of the Denver Art Museum which is widely considered an eyesore.
12715

As promised in the Broadway Park page, I am going to comment here. As neighbors, we are thrilled that such activity center is proposed in the hood. As an urbanist, count me disappointed in the quantity of parking and the orientation of the 'front door'.

Oklahoma Contemporary folks have been strong, vocal, supporters of the streetcar system. They came to the OKC City Council meeting and spoke strongly in favor of the proposed route. It was an extremely controversial meeting and successful passage of the streetcar route framework ensured that we could move forward without further delay. I don't think that Rand had been selected as the architect of the building at that time.

Let's just say that a bunch of us fought hard to extend the streetcar up to 11th street so that Oklahoma Contemporary could have a direct connection to the system. It is a very difficult intersection for us as we have to orient our stop in a unique way and install custom signalization to be able to make the sweeping left hand turn in front of their building to go west on 11th street.

I write all that just to emphasize that the cultural obsession with automobiles by architects and downtown developers is here again elevated in stunning visual detail with the way the building responds to the parking lot instead of the mass transit stop and strong sidewalk fabric to the west.

Until the system is up and running, I guess we will continue to have people who really do believe that there will never be enough parking and thus let their architects butcher new opportunities to set new architectural standards for pedestrians in our city.

Does appear to be a slap-in-the-face moreso than a bait-and-switch, to have the streetcar go up there to promote connectivity to the core while he builds a huge parking crater.

Seems anti urban and par-the-course for this 'architect' (and dare I say - city).

As promised in the Broadway Park page, I am going to comment here. As neighbors, we are thrilled that such activity center is proposed in the hood. As an urbanist, count me disappointed in the quantity of parking and the orientation of the 'front door'.

Oklahoma Contemporary folks have been strong, vocal, supporters of the streetcar system. They came to the OKC City Council meeting and spoke strongly in favor of the proposed route. It was an extremely controversial meeting and successful passage of the streetcar route framework ensured that we could move forward without further delay. I don't think that Rand had been selected as the architect of the building at that time.

Let's just say that a bunch of us fought hard to extend the streetcar up to 11th street so that Oklahoma Contemporary could have a direct connection to the system. It is a very difficult intersection for us as we have to orient our stop in a unique way and install custom signalization to be able to make the sweeping left hand turn in front of their building to go west on 11th street.

I write all that just to emphasize that the cultural obsession with automobiles by architects and downtown developers is here again elevated in stunning visual detail with the way the building responds to the parking lot instead of the mass transit stop and strong sidewalk fabric to the west.

Until the system is up and running, I guess we will continue to have people who really do believe that there will never be enough parking and thus let their architects butcher new opportunities to set new architectural standards for pedestrians in our city.

Also, given that performances are held in the evening and on weekends after work, parking will be readily available in many nearby parking garages. Some of those garages are within walking distance and others are directly along the streetcar route.

This seems to be a failure in vision by the architect and organization. This needs to interact with the street, the sidewalks, and the nearby rail transit. This seems to be a poor design aesthetically and functionally.

Does appear to be a slap-in-the-face moreso than a bait-and-switch

It really is their organization's loss. They came to these controversial meetings and helped make the case for streetcar and greater urbanity. Meanwhile, the bullish sculptural architect somehow sold the board a concept that ignores their earlier efforts. The connective tissue is there. There are sidewalks in the perimeter of the plan. But the relationship of the building is undeniably to the parking lot rather than to Auto Alley or pedestrians. Imagine that cool diagonal sidewalk line oriented directly to the streetcar stop and AA sidewalks to the south instead. It would have helped set a precedent.

I have given up on Rand and his lack of appreciation for actual human beings. He builds sculptures. Many of them are beautiful. I appreciate many of them. It takes a bullish approach to get your art through approval processes. He usually succeeds. He will again in this case probably succeed. It is just a shame that it wouldn't be that terribly hard to make a few simple adjustments in perspective that make his projects so much better. Again... human scale and actual human energy. Instead, these project pursue photographic idealism for architectural coffee books. His projects could do both. If anything, it would probably help them retain longevity and not potentially go the way of Stage Center by some future board.

Maybe there is something I'm missing, and I always like Elliott's designs, but I am not a fan of these renderings. This building strongly resembles the North Building of the Denver Art Museum which is widely considered an eyesore.
12715

Elliot straddles the line between rip off and homage a lot. His design for this building is an example of the latter. Only in a place like Oklahoma City can someone this ludicrous become a preeminent architect.

Maybe there is something I'm missing, and I always like Elliott's designs, but I am not a fan of these renderings. This building strongly resembles the North Building of the Denver Art Museum which is widely considered an eyesore.
12715

I lived in Denver when the museum was built and I immediately thought the same thing when I saw Rand's design. However, reaction to that building was always mixed. I loved it personally, and still do, as did many other people. I don't have a problem with the design for Oklahoma Contemporary either.

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts will soon bring a high-profile public art display to Campbell Park, adjacent to their future new home near Automobile Alley.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cloudcity3.jpg


Oklahoma Contemporary entered into agreement with the City of Oklahoma City in 2014 to begin programing the park with public art exhibitions. The frist was the popular TERRA by Orly Genger that recetnly concluded.

Cloud City by Tomas Saraceno would be in place by September of this year and run six to eight weeks at NW 12th & Broadway.

Previous displayed on the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the steel and acrylic structure is transparent and reflective and draws from natural forms such as clouds, bubbles and neural communication networks.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cloudcity2.jpg


Visitors will be able to walk inside the piece but it will only be open at certain hours and will be protected by security around the clock.

Oklahoma Contemporary recently submitted design plans (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=300-Oklahoma-Contemporary-Museum-submits-design-plans-for-downtown-campus) by Rand Elliot for its new downtown campus that are pending approval of the Downtown Design Review Committee. The organization hopes to move from its current home on the State Fairgrounds.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cloudcity4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cloudcity5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cloudcity6.jpg

Kinda neat, I want something like this in the new park permanently.

I really like that piece. Can't wait to see it in place.

Very interesting. I wish it were permanent, could be OKC's "Chicago Bean".

I like that they are rotating these very well-known pieces.

Gives people reasons to come to the area over and over.

Hopefully stuff like this happens in the new downtown park.

Kinda neat, I want something like this in the new park permanently.

I agree. I hope we have a great iconic piece of art in the new park that can become what "cloud gate" is to Chicago. this piece actually reminds me a bit of it with the reflective surfaces. excited to see this one.

Doesn't the city have to spend a certain percentage of the budget for public art, or something like that? Am I making that up?

Doesn't the city have to spend a certain percentage of the budget for public art, or something like that? Am I making that up?

Certain percent of some public capital projects...

Certain percent of some public capital projects...

I believe it is 2% of the budget of new projects.

I believe it is 2% of the budget of new projects.

1% of new projects must be allocated for public art.

1% of new projects must be allocated for public art.

I was 100% over!

I like that they are rotating these very well-known pieces.

Gives people reasons to come to the area over and over.
I agree. There are plenty of opportunities for permanent art, but this area is perfect for temporary pieces.

1% of new projects must be allocated for public art.

What are the limitations on that? Do things like the new park qualify?

Certain percent of some public capital projects...

That's what I meant. The project budget. Should have clarified. But how awesome would it be if they had to spend 1% of the general budget on public art!

Press release and some new renderings in advance of tomorrow's DDRC meeting where they are seeking design approval.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/contemp072016a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/contemp072016b.jpg


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oklahoma Contemporary Seeks Approval
for Arts Campus Design

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 20, 2016) -- Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center will present detailed plans for its new arts campus, planned for NW 11th and Broadway, to the Downtown Design Review committee Thursday, July 21. The DDRC administers the design review process and issues Certificates of Approval for property located in downtown Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Contemporary has been working toward the move since a 2011 study found the arts organization could better serve the city and state in a location closer to other Oklahoma City attractions, major workplaces and residential areas. The center has raised 60 percent of the $26 million needed for its new campus and anticipates opening in fall 2018.

"Since our founding as City Arts Center in 1989, more than 45,000 students have gotten their hands dirty and their hearts filled in a class or a camp with us," said Executive Director Donna Rinehart-Keever. Currently located at the state fairgrounds, Oklahoma Contemporary is committed to arts education and keeping art accessible through a broad range of educational programs, exhibitions and cultural offerings.

"We've shown more than 300 artists in the last decade, from Oklahomans in our annual ArtNow exhibition to big names like those coming this fall," Keever said. "But as showstopping as our exhibitions and events have become, education is the beating heart of our mission. From hands-on gallery activities to cutting-edge techniques like 3-D printing and animation, we continue to be a home for artistic exploration and learning creatively. And that home is about to get a lot more square footage."

The 4.6-acre campus will be home to a new 53,916-square-foot building, a renovated 10,000-square-foot building, a three-block arts park and space for outdoor exhibitions, education programs and public performances.

The four-story building, designed by renowned Oklahoma architect Rand Elliott, is called "Folding Light" because of the way the metal exterior will reflect Oklahoma's ever-changing sky.

Architecture is a reflection of the cultural values of a city, Elliott said, and Folding Light embodies the aspirations of our city. "Just as Oklahoma is known for our ever-changing weather, this architecture reflects the dramatic transformation of downtown and our boundless community spirit and celebrates our stunning Oklahoma light," Elliott said.

The arts campus isn't the only Oklahoma Contemporary project up for approval by the DDRC. Cloud City, a large-scale art installation by Tomas Saraceno, will open Sept. 8 at Campbell Art Park, adjacent to the site of the new arts campus.

"Cloud City offers just a glimpse of the kind of dynamic, interactive experiences we'll be able to facilitate on the grounds of our new downtown campus, experiences that bring people together to celebrate art and creativity in Oklahoma," said Artistic Director Jeremiah Davis.

Made of steel and acrylic, Cloud City is both transparent and reflective, so that grass may appear overhead and the sky is reflected onto the ground. The 16 interconnected modules, each the size of a small room, will reflect, refract and rearrange the skyline of downtown.

"This kind of project lays the groundwork for conversations across diverse fields and between communities, creating connections and opening doors to new ways of participating with art in Oklahoma City," Davis said. "It's an exciting time for Oklahoma Contemporary, our city and our state."

Looks like a heat sink.

I'm being an a$$ but someone needs to protest that it doesn't fit in with the hood.

It doesn't conform to many of the downtown standards, such as setbacks, materials and lack of windows.

Should be an interesting discussion at tomorrow's meeting.

WTF are they building that out of? Dowel rods? It looks like the interior of Café 501 in Classen Curve.

And where are the balconies?