Jun 22 2015
The Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College (CCS Bard) has announced New York Architecture firm HWKN have been appointed to lead a major expansion of its campus facilities.
The new CCS Bard Library - Part of the Center's expansion designed by HWKN.
Known as one of the worlds most forward thinking teaching and learning environments for the research and practice of contemporary art and curatorship, Bard College is also recognized for its continual commissioning of influential architects with HWKN joining the likes of Frank Gehry and Rafael Vinoly who have contributed to the upstate New York college.
"CCS Bard houses one of the most impressive contemporary art collections in the world therefore our approach was to ensure the collection was both extremely accessible and at the core of the visitor experience." said Matthias Hollwich, Principal of HWKN. "With the college faculty and artist Liam Gillick we have found new ways for visitors to engage with art even when it may not be formally on display."
Fueled by a deliberate re-envisioning of the role architecture plays within art oriented spaces, HWKN have collaborated with British conceptual artist Liam Gillick for one portion of the expansion - a visible collection archive featuring slatted walls that allow visitors a peek at a colorful wall drawing by Sol LeWitt - while showing deliberate architectural restraint in others portions of the expansion, affording the diverse body of contemporary art from the Marieluise Hessel Collection to take center stage.
Additionally, the expansion also doubles the existing teaching spaces and includes the design of a new light filled library which will grow from 30,000 to 60,000 volumes to become one of the pre-eminent libraries of contemporary art in America.
"HWKN has brought enthusiasm and design intelligence to CCS Bard's facilities expansion" said Executive Director Tom Eccles. "They understand the unique challenges posed with both educational and fine art oriented spaces and have created some beautiful solutions in collaboration with Liam Gillick which we think will result in a valuable experience for our students, staff and patrons."
The Hessel Museum of Art and CCS Bard Library and Archives will reopen this Fall.