Project Description
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:
Hopkins Hall stands in the northwest quadrant of the Oval on Ohio State’s Columbus campus, a 1960-vintage building that is home to the Arts Department administration. As a top-rated Arts program, the project sought to upgrade facilities that would reflect the caliber of the educational program. The renovation created efficient, updated studio spaces for the teaching of art and a powerful tool for recruitment and retention of students and faculty.
The building is organized in two wings. The second and third floors of the north wing were gutted and reconfigured into main studio spaces with the building circulation along the exterior south wall, wide enough to also serve as display/critique space, awash in natural light. Views from this circulation gallery to the redeveloped exterior courtyard allow for a new level of visual communication between the interior and exterior spaces punctuated by an outdoor work and display garden. The new studios were designed to be flexible and allow simultaneous activities without disruption to teaching or production processes. Each is aligned to optimize the north facing light, and enjoys full floor-to-ceiling vision glass.
The exterior of the building tells the story of art education. The north-wing curtain wall leaves the full function of the studios and workshops on display to the outside world, allowing viewers to observe students and faculty active in creating art. The project anticipates a LEED Silver award.