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ARCHITECTURE / HONOR Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA Owner: Dr. Steven Bradley, Director The creation of a new home for this Art Museum is a major catalyst in the urban revitalization of this historic city, which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River on Iowa’s eastern border. In order to create an emblematic building for the city, the design of the Art Museum was conceived as a monolithic glass structure that would powerfully yet simply landmark Davenport’s redeveloping waterfront. Its architecture was based around the idea of simple volumetric block enveloped by opaque, transparent, and translucent surfaces. These glass surfaces are fritted with horizontal banding that varies in density. In urban terms, the design looks to support the old city grid by filling one half of a previously empty city block. Yet in maintaining a strong and singular outline, the design of the Museum reveals itself as more varied than its urban footprint would suggest – different frontages reflect differing site conditions and define each of the building’s facades with distinct approaches: city plaza, street entrance, and riverside terrace. The plaza will provide for a sculpture garden and public gathering space, connecting the Figge visually with other cultural attractions in the downtown. |
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