The Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has honored the WMU
Richmond Center for Visual Arts with a 2010 design award.
AIA Michigan chose 12 honorees, including university buildings, corporate offices, a private home and a factory to receive its awards for the year. The architects recognized buildings that exhibited thoughtful, efficient and beautiful design.
The jurors praised the project, designed by
SmithGroup, of Detroit, as "sensitively designed addition to the campus, energized by exterior courts and internal exhibition areas."
The building features copper cladding that curves in two dimensions and wraps the lobby and front exhibit areas. The cladding sets off a large glazed facade section and allows natural light deep into the building. Jurors were impressed with the lightness of the glass and copper and of the zinc that wraps the lecture area. They contrast with the visual weight of the precast concrete cladding of the rest of the building.
Inside, the building focuses around student users, such as the graduating students who each host a final exhibit and reception. The lobby, facing Miller Plaza, can serve as a gallery, and other exhibit and lecture areas are placed at major visual intersections.
The Richmond Center connects Western Michigan University's College of Fine Arts. It links Kohrman Hall, which houses the Frostic School of Art, with the Dalton Center, which contains music and dance, and joins the complex to a nearby parking garage.
A feature that impressed the AIA was that upon exiting the Miller Parking Deck on a connecting bridge, visitors to the Richmond Center are treated to views of the sculpture court and garden and then Miller Plaza, with its large fountain.
The building previously received recognition in the North American Copper in Architecture Awards for 2009.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: AIA Michigan
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