Architecture News

Johnston Marklee, a California-based architectural firm, has unveiled ambitious plans for a significant expansion of The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach, USA. This development seeks to integrate new indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, including elevated galleries and courtyard areas, within the museum's existing campus. The project is designed not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to address environmental challenges, particularly the risks associated with sea-level rise in Miami-Dade County, by elevating key structures to meet resilience standards. This expansion aims to seamlessly blend contemporary design with the museum's rich architectural history, while also improving public interaction with art and the surrounding urban landscape.

The expansion is strategically positioned to transform the museum's southwest corner into a dynamic hub for art and community engagement. By carefully considering the interplay of light, shadow, and volume, Johnston Marklee seeks to create a welcoming and accessible environment. The new pavilions will feature distinct architectural elements, such as sheer white walls on the upper levels and textured surfaces at ground level, contributing to a unique aesthetic. Furthermore, the integration of a backlit oculus and connections to Collins Park highlights a thoughtful approach to both functional design and urban placemaking, ensuring the museum remains a vibrant cultural landmark for future generations.

Transforming the Bass Museum of Art: A Vision for Elevated Spaces

Johnston Marklee’s expansion of The Bass Museum of Art introduces two rectangular pavilions that appear to float above the ground on a slender concrete plane. This innovative design prioritizes both aesthetic appeal and practical resilience, specifically addressing Miami-Dade County's flood risks by adhering to elevated construction guidelines. The elevated structure allows for open, inviting courtyard spaces beneath, enhancing public access and creating a seamless flow between the museum and its surroundings. Sharon Johnston, a founding partner of Johnston Marklee, described the project as “transformative,” emphasizing its role in broadening public engagement with the museum’s extensive art collections and educational programs.

The design meticulously considers the interplay of light and shadow, space and volume, and the existing urban and park context. The upper portions of the pavilions will feature stark white walls, providing a modern contrast to the more tactile, textured walls at ground level. A central backlit oculus will illuminate the under-structure passages at night, guiding visitors through the new spaces. These passages will lead to beautifully landscaped gardens, with one pavilion’s blank facade serving as a versatile screen for outdoor screenings, further integrating the museum with Collins Park and its natural environment. This thoughtful integration of architecture, nature, and art ensures a rich and immersive experience for all.

Architectural Harmony: Blending History with Modernity at The Bass

The expansion project by Johnston Marklee not only adds new dimensions to The Bass Museum but also respectfully builds upon its historical foundations. The museum's original Art Deco structure, designed by Russell Pancoast in the 1930s, and the subsequent expansion by Arata Isozaki, form a significant architectural heritage. Johnston Marklee's design acknowledges these layers of history, aiming to create a harmonious dialogue between the past and the present. The new primary exhibition spaces, housed within the rectangular pavilions, will feature classic white-wall galleries, rectangular windows, and a skylight positioned to maximize natural light, particularly in the pavilion closest to Isozaki's building.

Mark Lee, co-founder of Johnston Marklee, expressed his enthusiasm for reimagining the southwest corner of Collins Park. He highlighted how the project continues the museum's architectural narrative, preserving Pancoast’s Art Deco design while honoring Isozaki’s vision of a permeable campus. This approach ensures that the expansion not only provides additional gallery space but also enhances the overall visitor journey, fostering a sense of continuity and evolution within the museum's diverse architectural landscape. The blending of historical context with forward-thinking design principles underscores Johnston Marklee's commitment to creating spaces that are both culturally significant and environmentally responsive.

In London's Hackney Wick, The Yard Theatre has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a temporary structure into a permanent cultural landmark. This ambitious project, spearheaded by local firm Takero Shimazaki Architects, has not only expanded the venue but also redefined its identity through innovative design and a commitment to sustainable practices. The once makeshift space, originally conceived as a brief three-month pop-up in 2011, now boasts a full array of facilities including a state-of-the-art performance space, a welcoming bar, comprehensive backstage areas, and versatile community spaces, all while preserving the site's unique industrial heritage.

A core principle guiding the architectural vision was the integration of reclaimed materials, which allowed the team to retain the authentic character of the existing site while introducing modern functionalities. The transformation involved not only revamping the original 110-seat theater but also extending into adjacent studios and a former brewery, whose brick walls were thoughtfully preserved and incorporated into the new design. According to Takero Shimazaki, the building's form was inspired by the concept of a civic cultural space that playfully references a church-like structure, yet is constructed from industrial, lightweight materials. This approach, combined with the use of readily available and sustainable resources, allowed for the creation of a monumental presence that respectfully breaks away from the area’s predominantly horizontal industrial aesthetic. The former brewery now houses a new 224-capacity theater with unique curved amphitheater seating, complemented by a pitched structural frame made from laminated veneer lumber and repurposed tubular steel. A standout feature is the 23-meter-tall crane tower, which has been ingeniously refashioned into a translucent polycarbonate-clad ventilation chimney, serving as a luminous beacon that draws attention from afar.

Beyond the main performance spaces, the renovation thoughtfully repurposed other areas of the venue. The original theater building now serves as a vibrant bar and public foyer, where much of the existing walls, floors, and windows were meticulously retained and integrated with a new roof. Backstage facilities are cleverly tucked beneath the auditorium's tiered seating, and new lifts and stairs provide seamless connectivity between the bar and the upper levels of the theater. The project also champions circular economy principles, as materials salvaged from demolition were directly reused within the new construction; for instance, exterior bricks found new life in the stage wall and external infills. The exterior cladding of the expanded theater utilizes fibre-cement sheeting, polycarbonate panels, and K-Briq, a colorful, low-carbon material made from over 95 percent recycled content. To top off this architectural marvel, a human-shaped sculpture by renowned British artist Antony Gormley now graces the roof, adding another layer of artistic depth to this revitalized cultural hub.

This revitalization project for The Yard Theatre stands as a testament to how thoughtful design and sustainable practices can breathe new life into existing structures, transforming them into vibrant, enduring community assets. By honoring the past while embracing innovative, eco-conscious solutions, Takero Shimazaki Architects has created a space that is not only functional and aesthetically striking but also deeply rooted in its context and committed to a sustainable future. Such endeavors inspire us to envision a world where architectural development harmonizes with environmental responsibility and community enrichment, fostering spaces that truly elevate the human experience and stand as beacons of progress and creativity.