Prijsvraag Palos Verdes Art Center

Landscape:
The art centre is integrated with minimal means into the existing terraced landscape. Its stepped section derives from the centre's adherence to the natural course of the site. The roof following the slope rests on a steel skeleton. The office box jut from the roof like a hut from a slope. The east elevation has few window openings and is considered to be a traffic noise protection. The roof is an artificial landscape accessible for exposition purposes and provides natural daylight through louvres to the studios.

Zones:
The internal structure of the building is divided in 5 functional entities zones -: the 'entrance zone', the first zone of inner court\patio's, the ‘exhibition gallery zone’, the second zone of inner court\patios and the ‘education zone’. These zones are linked by a 'strip' the entire length of the building. This is the main axis of the art center where - besides circulation - receptions, additional expositions and banquets can be held. The office box is suspended in this strip.

Inner courts\Patio's:
Four inner courts at the ground floor and two semi open spaces at the first floor keep the building open both horizontally and vertically. Each inner patio has his own atmosphere and function, the different themes are: water, terrace, green and exposition. The terrace ‘patio’ is situated near a service point (pantry) and provides a place to gather and rest while the water inner court contributes to a pleasant and healthy climate. Both the green inner court and interior sculpture court are accessible to the public. The green inner court can be used for open-air receptions, dinners and cocktail parties. At the first floor the semi open spaces are linked with the studios and can be used as teaching and working areas.