Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW-CRA-2002-02-25-Discussion Item 2FIU FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami's public research university VISIONS FOR THE FIREHOUSE No. 2 At the Media, Arts and Entertainment District in Downtown Miami -Omni Area The project, Visions for the Firehouse are eight design studio schemes developed by eleven architecture design students from FIU, School of Architecture inspired and taught by professor Claudia Busch. The intention was to create a new identity, revitalize and preserve the firehouse located on the corner of N.W. 14th St. & North Miami Avenue. In the course of creating this new identity, students examined the re -use of an important, historic building by incorporating different programs, in this case, the visual arts, music and community sponsored activities. Location The Firehouse is located on the corner of N.W. 14th St. & North Miami Avenue and is surrounded not only by several other historic buildings but also by studios for movie productions. The Firehouse is also in close proximity to the new Performing Arts Center (PAC), which is to be built by 2004. PAC is a catalyst for urban revitalization and will bring large development and activities to the area. The objective of this studio project was to foster an integration of the Firehouse into the new, emerging identity of the Omni area. Community Relations Inspiration for this project came from different sources. Students visited different art collections and museums in Miami and realized there is a need for an alternative channel to exhibit contemporary art. The artist, George Sanchez, made a proposal to convert the Fire House into a cultural art center and representatives of the community such as Eleanor Kluger, Director of the Omni Advisory Board, participated in the process and helped the students to create a place for the community. Frank Rollason, Assistant City Manager participated in the final review of the design and organized the exhibition of the final design projects at the City of Miami, Riverside Center. Historical Preservation The historic preservation of the building was discussed throughout the design process. Preservation was explored in many different ways and was correlated with the students' understanding of the new emerging community and of the new activities this would engender. Most students preserved the corner element, (the front), facing the north and west sides of the street. Expansions and changes occurred towards the north or on a small parcel of vacant land (the back side). In these cases, the historic fagade towards the street was rescued and all new activities occurred within the building. These activities were only seen through the large portal of the fire truck gates or approaching the Firehouse from North Miami Avenue. Some students felt a need to open the building toward the street and to be more expressive with their designs. They used large-scale billboards, extracted pieces of the building and inserted new volumes, ramps and screens. In these cases, the fagade was redesigned, as a face, that carried messages through the use of technological devices, or was opened to walk (skate) in or had larger sidewalks for sitting and wandering. Program Components For the exploration of the program, emphasis was placed on how the culture of the arts can become a part of this new community. Discussions regarding new uses for the Firehouse were an open forum. It could encompass any art medium, different types of audiences and different kinds of programming. The museum's exhibitions could reflect the art being produced today — and the art of tomorrow. New artworks included large-scale environmental works, site -specific installations, video and other electronic media productions, as well as combined art/performance works. Versatility should be a basic requirement. It is always exciting the introduction of a real client, real site or program to inject a sense of reality into a studio environment. The context for this project had multiple facets and could be approached from a conceptual as well as a real -world point of view. Every student defined the client, the site and the program. This allowed a diversity of projects that enabled the Firehouse to be seen in many different lights and visions. Claudia Busch, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture 305.348.6026 buschc@fiu.edu 0rvfl UCRA s SE®PW/CRA School of Architect&& Universiry Park Campus, Miami, FL 33199 • Tel: 305-348-3181 • Fax: 305-348-2650 • www.fiu.edu Florid., Inrcrmaoml Um. ., i:,n od O /A.— Employ,, and 1n.umnon • TDD ,, FRS 1-800-n55-877I g a 5' �,.{/ FIU FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami's public research university VISIONS FOR THE FIREHOUSE No. 2 At the Media, Arts and Entertainment District in Downtown Miami -Omni Area The project, Visions for the Firehouse are eight design studio schemes developed by eleven architecture design students from FIU, School of Architecture inspired and taught by professor Claudia Busch. The intention was to create a new identity, revitalize and preserve the firehouse located on the corner of N.W. 14th St. & North Miami Avenue. In the course of creating this new identity, students examined the re -use of an important, historic building by incorporating different programs, in this case, the visual arts, music and community sponsored activities. Location The Firehouse is located on the corner of N.W. 14th St. & North Miami Avenue and is surrounded not only by several other historic buildings but also by studios for movie productions. The Firehouse is also in close proximity to the new Performing Arts Center (PAC), which is to be built by 2004. PAC is a catalyst for urban revitalization and will bring large development and activities to the area. The objective of this studio project was to foster an integration of the Firehouse into the new, emerging identity of the Omni area. Community Relations Inspiration for this project came from different sources. Students visited different art collections and museums in Miami and realized there is a need for an alternative channel to exhibit contemporary art. The artist, George Sanchez, made a proposal to convert the Fire House into a cultural art center and representatives of the community such as Eleanor Kluger, Director of the Omni Advisory Board, participated in the process and helped the students to create a place for the community. Frank Rollason, Assistant City Manager participated in the final review of the design and organized the exhibition of the final design projects at the City of Miami, Riverside Center. Historical Preservation The historic preservation of the building was discussed throughout the design process. Preservation was explored in many different ways and was correlated with the students' understanding of the new emerging community and of the new activities this would engender. Most students preserved the corner element, (the front), facing the north and west sides of the street. Expansions and changes occurred towards the north or on a small parcel of vacant land (the back side). In these cases, the historic fagade towards the street was rescued and all new activities occurred within the building. These activities were only seen through the large portal of the fire truck gates or approaching the Firehouse from North Miami Avenue. Some students felt a need to open the building toward the street and to be more expressive with their designs. They used large-scale billboards, extracted pieces of the building and inserted new volumes, ramps and screens. In these cases, the fagade was redesigned, as a face, that carried messages through the use of technological devices, or was opened to walk (skate) in or had larger sidewalks for sitting and wandering. Program Components For the exploration of the program, emphasis was placed on how the culture of the arts can become a part of this new community. Discussions regarding new uses for the Firehouse were an open forum. It could encompass any art medium, different types of audiences and different kinds of programming. The museum's exhibitions could reflect the art being produced today — and the art of tomorrow. New artworks included large-scale environmental works, site -specific installations, video and other electronic media productions, as well as combined art/performance works. Versatility should be a basic requirement. It is always exciting the introduction of a real client, real site or program to inject a sense of reality into a studio environment. The context for this project had multiple facets and could be approached from a conceptual as well as a real -world point of view. Every student defined the client, the site and the program. This allowed a diversity of projects that enabled the Firehouse to be seen in many different lights and visions. Claudia Busch, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture 305.348.6026 buschc@fiu.edu School of Architectures � : ' ::� ; �. ' , ,� �e,„ ` ��,� SEOPW/CRA University Park Campus, Miami, FL 33199 • Tel: 305-348-3181ax:y305 348-2650 • www.fiu.edu Flu da Imern.nnual U.— I O /A.— Em Imrr and 1--, n • TDD vu FRS I-XU� `ISi-X"1 ry is m Eq�a pportuniry p .Al JKI-7 10 OMW/CRA 42-iG7��. DISCUSSED SEOPW/CRA .0 2 A3 MA