OK... So have been slacking big time... I took a trip up to Cincy about two months ago or more and am just now getting to uploading this project :)

The museum is in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Oh. You can arrive to the city via Plane, road, or even train. The most convienient way of getting to the city is of course by the American way of driving your Automobile. Both I-75 and I-71 merge once you cross over the Ohio River (from the south) and enter into the city. The Arts Center is found on the corner of E 6th Ave. and Walnut Street. You can't miss it as it is a quietly a unique building among the blend of turn of the century neoclassical and modern glass buildings.

Posted is a view of the Downtown area and its relationship to the University of Cincinnati (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums//showthread.php?t=343)(which is a must see when you come to this city).

And the link to the Art Center's website HERE (http://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/)

Here is a closer view of the Downtown area.

And the KMZ...

Here is a shot from E 6th Street looking along the main corner of the building.

Here is the building from the other street, Walnut, and what I thought was the more interesting view of the building and how it protrudes out beyond the main "city" edge.

Here is a similar view to the one above but from the same side of the street as the Arts Center. The black volume actually hangs out over the street right-of-way.

Here is a shot from Walnut but from south of 6th street. I don't think the guy on the right was too pleased I was taking this picture for some reason. He kept eyeing me the whole time.

This shot is standing on the sidewalk out front of the building. For the most part it is a fairly narrow lot that the building sits on. There is this "half pipe" (to use a skater term) that frames the edge against the neighboring building to the north. there will be more on this form further down in the pics.

The composition of form that creates the front. If I remember correctly the black portion was skinned in some kind of metal panel. Can anyone confirm that for me?

Here is that half-pipe wall from the inside. I will have to find some plans of the building, but this wall is also where the vertical circulation makes it's way to the different gallery levels (6 levels in all).

Here is another shot of the same wall to give you a better feel for how the stair works in the space.

Here is a view while standing just outside the first galleries on the 2nd level. Unfortunately, as in most Museums, I was not allowed to take any pics once inside the gallery spaces.

And finally... This was shot by my friend I took the trip with. He and I graduated together and had a great time on this trip. This was taken towards the end of our day, after touring the University Campus for about 4 or 5 hours, and so we were a slightly exhausted :) (but of course we got our second wind later and were able to take some really great night shots of the city).

Overall the building is pretty simple. glass front at the entry level that creates transparency to the sidewalk. The wall with the "half pipe" that acts as a barrier and edge for the vertical circulation. Then you have this circulation, as it turns back and forth upward, come into several gallery exhibition spaces, on different levels, that are above the main lobby space below.

It is worth the visit and the cost for admission is very reasonable - I think about $8 USD. The are very accommodating on taking pics in any space but the galleries so bring your camera.

And as always, if anyone has more pics by all means add them to this thread.

:cheers:

Here is a shot from Walnut but from south of 6th street. I don't think the guy on the right was too pleased I was taking this picture for some reason. He kept eyeing me the whole time.

Well, it's a well known fact that most people taking pictures of public space are planning acts of terrorism. So of course he was getting a bit suspiscious.

Well, it's a well known fact that most people taking pictures of public space are planning acts of terrorism. So of course he was getting a bit suspiscious.

Either that or it was because his daughter was HOT!!! :D just kidding... LOL

but seriously, it is funny how people are about other people taking pictures in public places sometimes. I will do photo strolls around where I live in Atlanta and will have people ask me why I am taking pictures. Its as if your not shooting for some magazine or newspaper you're up to no good. Strange...

Great shots, make me wanna skate!:rock on:

am just curious..is the interior totally shut from outside....!!the whole facade is blank with concrete

am just curious..is the interior totally shut from outside....!!the whole facade is blank with concrete

Raji,

I am not sure I understand what you mean by "shut" from the outside...

The street level of the building, which you enter into, is all glass, so is transparent to the outside/sidewalk.

The building is very "raw" with the concrete finish. But it works OK with the context in my opinion.

One of the things I like most about this building is that it is not immediately identifiable as a Zaha Hadid building (sometimes starchitects seem to develop a trademark style and just recycle it from one project to another).
Also the way it relates with the urban context seems very appropriate, respecting the continuity of public space and volumes, yet showing his difference through the deconstruction of the volume in the upper levels. Very refrained and subtle, not an amalgamation of sharp edges pointing in every direction in a gratuitous way, elegant and well done.
Thanks for this post Wizum, I only wish you could have taken more pictures.

I will see about my friend posting any pics he took if they are different from any of mine. That may help. For some reason I didn't take a ton of pics when we were there. I think more than anything I was just getting tired from an already long day :) Old age I tell ya...

I like this building too. Thanks Wiz.

I dont know the plan but I do admire the composition of the exterior. Its beautifully balanced and unhinged at the same time. Hadid is as much about sculpture in its purest sense as she is about controlling light and making spaces.

I'm sure it has its critics because of its power and rawness but hey its only a building. How long can it be there?

Please forgive me... here is two more pics I have.

The first is from 6th street but as you would approach it from the "back" side of the building.

And an interior shot looking back away from the outside from the "half pipe" wall and vertical circulation. The elevator and desk are at the back end of this shot. This space was a little weird but yet you got a sense of continuity of the outside and inside, and it gave the circulation a more sculptural quality to the space.

Thanks for the photo report Wiz!

That half-pipe really makes you want to try to go up the wall, even on foot. Did you try it or do they have already someone watching to stop those trying to do it? I guess that is why they have those small seat like bumps outside, to try to prevent skaters from trying to climb it.

Thanks wizum to share ur nice photos ,
I hadn't seen this project of hadid , and this time I love her work , simple and lovely , so much diffrent from novel and complicated forms she designed . and intersting plans and section this one has .

Hugh Pearman reviewed this building back when it opened in 2003. Read the article here (http://www.hughpearman.com/articles4/hadid.html).

and thanks Wizum for the photos, its one of my favourite buildings!

Great images; and agree a nice restrained work...

What is the floor material?

Great images; and agree a nice restrained work...

What is the floor material?

If I remember correctly it is a polished concrete? But not 100% sure.

Thanks Nino88 for posting that section. I need to find some plans and post them. Unless someone beats me to it :)

If I remember correctly it is a polished concrete? But not 100% sure.



Looks like a coating of some sort...have a look in post#23; any recollection?

If I remember correctly it is a polished concrete? But not 100% sure.

Thanks Nino88 for posting that section. I need to find some plans and post them. Unless someone beats me to it :)

wizum I found all its plans in the site u introduce in the first post and download all. the link is http://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/uploaded/downloads/Lois_RichardRosenthalCenterforContemporaryArt.zip

Here is a similar view to the one above but from the same side of the street as the Arts Center. The black volume actually hangs out over the street right-of-way.

Is that legal?

I mean, dont know the construction laws or codes in the US, but atleast in Venezuela you can't do that, you just trace vertically an invisible line along your site's boundaires and thats it...you can't cross it, you could do pretty much whatever you want inside them (with certain urban restrictions, of course) but to fly above your site's limits over the sidewalk or even the street is out of the question. Do not confuse with an entrance canopy, which doesnt adds as constructive or "commercial-sellable" space, we're talking about big volume from within the building, which is obvoiusly commercial space for the museum (and free btw since is not inside it's site) - Sorry if I cant find a better word than "commercial" I hope you understand what I mean.

One of the things I like most about this building is that it is not immediately identifiable as a Zaha Hadid building (sometimes starchitects seem to develop a trademark style and just recycle it from one project to another).
Also the way it relates with the urban context seems very appropriate, respecting the continuity of public space and volumes, yet showing his difference through the deconstruction of the volume in the upper levels. Very refrained and subtle, not an amalgamation of sharp edges pointing in every direction in a gratuitous way, elegant and well done.
Thanks for this post Wizum, I only wish you could have taken more pictures.

What?!?!

Ok, I agree with your first one, doesn't looks like others zaha's, but relates with the urban context?, respecting public spaces? subtle? Not sure, but that's not the proper quotation for the following image.

I mean, the building actually invades the sidewalk (and in some angles even the street) can it be more arrogant than that?..is like a big "Eat at Joes" sign (like in the cartoons). Yea, Im not such a fan of Hadid, hehe, I respect her work, and find it interesting, but that's about it, I think its open to debate. I pretty much agree with what Luis Fernandez Galiano's said once (Arquitectura Viva's editor) (spanish arquitectural magazine) sorry but hard to find a link fo rit, it was interesting though.

I do give that the perspective on the last picture (6th avenue) is better in terms of "context respect" than the other ones.

Nice pictures btw.

Is that legal?

I mean, dont know the construction laws or codes in the US, but atleast in Venezuela you can't do that, you just trace vertically an invisible line along your site's boundaires and thats it...you can't cross it, you could do pretty much whatever you want inside them (with certain urban restrictions, of course) but to fly above your site's limits over the sidewalk or even the street is out of the question. Do not confuse with an entrance canopy, which doesnt adds as constructive or "commercial-sellable" space, we're talking about big volume from within the building, which is obvoiusly commercial space for the museum (and free btw since is not inside it's site) - Sorry if I cant find a better word than "commercial" I hope you understand what I mean.


It must be legal. This is done in many places. I've seen a number of buildings do this. From the Kansas City Convention Center downtown, to the Denver Art Museum (below), it isn't unheard of to purchase air rights or even the right of way to the street. Even though it remains in the public maintenance sector, the airspace can be occupied. It is just rare to see, and usually requires a variance or a special case...

jedisalf, about the building projection into the stret right of way...
It is against the city's zoning ordanances, but you can always apply for a variance. It's really just asking for the city zoning board if you can break their rules. Asking for variances is pretty common. Projecting over the right of way is very uncommon, but it is a variance that they are allowed to grant if they wish.

I can only assume that someone (probably not her) presented good reason that it didn't compromise the life safety of the citizens, the life safety of fire and police, and somehow added to the quality of life in its general 'coolness factor'.

I have been by the building. There was a swank, black tie event going on so I couldn't get in. I think it's great from my limited experience. Context can and should be a very interpretive architectural tool. The height of the building, the materials, and the rectilinears forms are very contectual. Hadid, volumetrically speaking, just pushed a little, pulled a little and raised them off of the ground. I think the most striking difference between it and the surrounding buildings is the lack of glazing... but it's a museum, big surprise, no glazing. It is not so different from the rectangle of an office building just down the street in your last image post.

And thanks wizum fopr the pics.

jedisalf, about the building projection into the stret right of way...
It is against the city's zoning ordanances, but you can always apply for a variance. It's really just asking for the city zoning board if you can break their rules. Asking for variances is pretty common. Projecting over the right of way is very uncommon, but it is a variance that they are allowed to grant if they wish.

I can only assume that someone (probably not her) presented good reason that it didn't compromise the life safety of the citizens, the life safety of fire and police, and somehow added to the quality of life in its general 'coolness factor'.

I have been by the building. There was a swank, black tie event going on so I couldn't get in. I think it's great from my limited experience. Context can and should be a very interpretive architectural tool. The height of the building, the materials, and the rectilinears forms are very contectual. Hadid, volumetrically speaking, just pushed a little, pulled a little and raised them off of the ground. I think the most striking difference between it and the surrounding buildings is the lack of glazing... but it's a museum, big surprise, no glazing. It is not so different from the rectangle of an office building just down the street in your last image post.

And thanks wizum fopr the pics.

good comments on the projections Ryan... the only thing I would add is that the projection usually needs to fit into a minimum height requirement. In cases I have dealt with this we were required to make the height clearance a minimum of 19 feet (5.79 m - if my conversion is correct :) ).

thank you wizum for this interesting file .i'm an architecture student and i need many informations about projects like this .

Well, it's a well known fact that most people taking pictures of public space are planning acts of terrorism. So of course he was getting a bit suspiscious.

My lecturer had asked us to do a walking tour of part of the city. The walk happened to take us past an Australian Federal Police Building. You should have seen the security flip out when we started taking photos :P
The lecturer got a prompt phone call and an email was sent around to all students telling them not to take photos of this part of the walk. It was so funny. I wonder what is going through the security guards head.

"...hmm those kids are taking phots, maybe all 24 of them are terrorists..."

the terrorismophobimania is getting so more and more place in minds