Tod Williams & Billie Tsien Unveil Their Nature-Inspired Design for the Kimball Art Center

New York-based firm <a href="http://www.twbta.com/" target="-blank">Tod Williams &amp; Billie Tsien Architects</a> are in the running for the renovation and expansion of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/kimball-art-center/">Kimball Art Center</a> in Park City, UT. Their design is inspired by the surrounding alpine and mountainous landscape and attempts not to recreate it, but to capture its spirit through framed openings of the mountains and sky. Called the Box of Sky and Shadow, the simple concept recalls some of TWBTA's other projects around the country and features an influx of natural daylight, a copper clad exterior, energy efficient systems, and photovoltaics on the roof.

The <a href="http://www.kimballartcenter.org/transformation-project" target="_blank">renovation</a> by TWBTA calls for an upgrade of the existing historic infrastructure and the expansion of the gallery and exhibition space and includes a new cafe, retail space, a catering kitchen, studios, and flexible event space.

Their design calls for new studio and education rooms on the basement and ground floor level with new gallery and exhibition space on the top floor.

An outdoor roof deck and movie screening area serves as the focal point for the rooftop deck, which also enjoys vast and open views of the mountains and town.

The exterior of the building is clad in hand-glazed brick and the historic portion is sandblasted back to the original color.

The top floor is covered in hand-hammered copper panels with punched openings that allow for protection and natural ventilation.

At the corner, hovering over the entrance to the center, are two moveable panels that retract during pleasant weather or public events.

Site plan in old town Park City.

Material inspiration.

Flexible space for a variety of events.

The copper cladding at the corner of the building retracts and serves as a movie screen.

Cross section.

Lower level floor plan.

Ground floor plan.

Intermediate level floor plan.

Upper level floor plan.

Cross section.

Phasing of construction.

Model of the TWBTA design proposal.

Model of the TWBTA design proposal.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.

Model of Box of Sky and Shadow design on display at the Kimball Art Center.