We were asked to design a space to house the works of sculptor Philip Pavilla and abstract expressionist Natalie Edgar. The site is located in Springs, a small residential neighborhood of East Hampton, NY, and is where their residence and Philip’s former studio barn reside. The proposal is for both indoor and outdoor gallery space as well as living space for visiting resident artists. The objective was to reference the specific vernacular architecture of the East Hampton area and propose a simply built structure. After visiting the site, it became evident that a careful balance must be met of preserving the existing site and welcoming visitors. From the main approach to the site, a monolithic fence stands that both composes the facade and filters light from the south into the gallery space. The structure is fixed along a 6 foot grid, and is built from all mortise and tenon joinery. Mortise and tenon joinery was a common technique of vernacular architecture in the area that allowed for structures to be easily moved; here, it allows for the structure to be modified and expanded over time and as the center’s programatic needs change. The form of the units promote a sense of interconnectedness amongst visitors and residents through continual connection between lower and upper floors. Provoked by Pavilla’s bronze figure sculptures and his statements about how the gestural thrust of a walking figure actives space, the building is laid out as a linear progression through indoor and outdoor gallery spaces and resting areas.
