Brooks + Scarpa Unveil Airy Cloud-Like Renovation For the Kimball Art Center

<a href="http://www.pugh-scarpa.com/" target="_blank">Brooks + Scarpa</a> is not just a talented architecture firm - it seems they're also magicians capable of procuring clouds out of thin air, as they've shown in their plans to renovate the <a href="http://www.kimballartcenter.org/" target="_blank">Kimball Art Center</a> in Park City, UT. Encased in translucent honeycomb paneling, the Kimball Cloud is a light and bright space that makes use of solar passive design, heat exchange, and natural ventilation to provide energy-efficient climate control. The <a href="http://www.kimballartcenter.org/transformation-project" target="_blank">renovation of the arts and culture center</a> is an opportunity for Park City to make a name for itself in the international art world, and Brooks + Scarpa's proposal could easily catapult it into the stratosphere.

The inspiration for the Kimball Cloud came directly from the many "blue bird" days of clear blue skies that Park City experiences. <a href="http://www.pugh-scarpa.com/" target="_blank">Brooks + Scarpa</a> decided to remind us of our often clear skies by introducing a new cloud into the urban landscape.

The bright tower set beside the existing historic structure of the arts center is a beacon that can been seen and experienced from almost every vantage point in town.

Daylight here is one of the driving strategies and the translucent panels of the cloud tower filters light into the space and down through each level to create an open and inviting space.

Existing facilities of the Kimball will be renovated and upgraded in accordance with the programmatic plan adding necessary office, storage and classroom space.

The historic building's roof will be turned into a large outdoor venue and seating and the side of the cloud becomes a movie screen to project the latest films from <a href="http://www.sundance.org/festival">Sundance</a> or other feature presentations.

The cloud then will house new gallery and exhibition spaces, a kitchen and restaurant and will be topped off with an outdoor terrace and garden.

Site Plan.

Evolution of the building's form and volume.

The cloud is wrapped in a glass curtain wall with exterior accordion-like translucent panels.

Structural supports hold these honeycomb panels in place according to a optimized design for sunlight and shading.

The entire structure has been designed to optimize the winter sun and make the most out of its daylight. During the winter, these honeycomb tubes act as greenhouses to heat up the air, which is then captured for use inside the building.

In the summer, the panels act as a barrier to protect from the sun and the heated air is naturally ventilated up and out keeping the interior cool.

As for energy efficiency, mechanical systems have been selected to work in conjunction with the passive heating and cooling mechanisms of the exterior facade.

A geothermal ground source heat exchanger works in conjunction with a heat pump to provide additional heating and cooling as needed.

Basement floor plan.

Ground floor plan.

First floor plan.

Second floor plan.

Third floor plan.

Rooftop terrace.

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center

Model of Brooks + Scarpa's proposal at the Kimball Art Center