farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland

<p>standing 60 feet tall, this art museum's six-sided geometric form envelopes a flexible interior of partition-free galleries to accommodate the constantly changing exhibitions which take place inside.</p>

lauren grieco October 14, 2012 2 min

designed by london-based farshid moussavi architecture, MOCA cleveland has just opened in a neighborhood of cleveland, ohio. one of the few in the country, the non-collecting art museum intends to become a catalyst for creativity and growth with changing exhibitions and displays throughout the 34,000 square foot building. eliminating the need for permanent galleries, the main priority of the design was flexibility to accommodate a great variety of media and genres within the four storeys.

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 1 image © dean kaufman (also main image) / all images courtesy of farshid moussavi architecture

resting on a triangular site, the geometric form begins with a hexagonal footprint and rises 60 feet to the square facet for the roof. entrances at all sides of the perimeter allows the interior to be used in many ways. upon entering, visitors are confronted with a full-building height atrium, revealing the angled exterior walls as it spans to the ceiling.

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 2 mirror-finish black stainless steel reflects the sky image © dan michaels

guiding towards the lobby, cafe and shop with double-storey multi-purpose room for public events. a grand focal staircase takes visitors to the upper levels, experiencing the structural system of the building and culminating with a 6,000 square foot gallery at the top floor. without fixed partition walls, the space may be configured as needed with views towards the plaza below.

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 3 doorway within reflective facade image © dean kaufman

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 4 ground floor image © dean kaufman

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 5 grand stair image © dean kaufman

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 6 gallery image © dean kaufman

farshid moussavi architecture: MOCA cleveland - 7 gallery image © dean kaufman

project info:

construction budget: $18.7 million area: 34,000 sqf project team: design architect: farshid moussavi architecture (until june 2011 FOA) executive architect: westlake reed leskosky engineering services: westlake reed leskosky facade engineering: arup facades

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