Local architects Stanley, Beaman & Sears to redesign old AJC building

Firm wins city design competition to place gallery space in lobby of 72 Marietta St.

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  • www.stanleybeamansears.com
  • The entryway of 72 Marietta St. come October



In March, the city of Atlanta opened an architecture competition to transform the lobby of the old AJC building at 72 Marietta St. downtown into a gallery space. It was announced today that Atlanta firm Stanley, Beaman & Sears was awarded the job, which comes with a $100,000 budget to convert the 3,000-square foot space.

From the renderings, it appears the space will be renamed “Convergence Gallery,” and include a swooping, lime green duct-like design element inspired by the newspaper printing process (a nod to the former building resident) that will run the exterior height of the building and continue inside where it will be integrated into the gallery space.

To one famous architectural critic’s chagrin, it sounds as though the ornament may shift colors, or, in the words of the architects on their website, “It will be an architectural move that glows against the existing building façade and flows into the interior will provide the catalyst to pull pedestrians from the street into the pristine, renovated, inviting galleries.

“This gleaming moment is much more than pulled taffy architecture. It is a striking icon announcing the growth and progressive thinking of a city on the move. It is a shimmering marquee breathing new life on the street and guiding visitors into the building. It weaves together the flexible galleries and provides a visual hierarchy of the interior spaces. This is an invitation that wraps the needs of the gallery today within the imagination of what the city may become tomorrow.”

The reimagined space will include two galleries, a natural light gallery on the building’s south side that will show visual and installation exhibits, and a “light controlled” gallery on the north side for for digital art, video work and light sensitive installations.

“Our firm is absolutely thrilled to be selected to design the new gallery. Its location will positively impact this portion of Marietta Street and further support the City’s and Fulton County’s progressive stance regarding the importance of the arts. We believe in the power and lasting significance of the arts and look forward to working with the City to provide a space that allows the artwork within to shine,” said Betsy Beaman, AIA of Stanley, Beaman & Sears in a press release.

The design was chosen by a panel of local judges, including Commissioner James Shelby, Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development, Brenda Galina PhD., Executive Director, Museum of Design Atlanta, Glen Cowart, City of Atlanta Facility Maintenance Administrator, Laura Mackinder, freelance Interior Designer and David Hamilton, AIA, Principal, Praxis 3 Architecture.

The gallery is scheduled to open in October of this year. More images after the jump, including a rainy day simulation and Pac Man.






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