point b design: D gallery

‘D gallery’ by point b design, philadelphia, pennsylvania, USA images courtesy of point b design

philadelphia-based practice point b design has completed the ‘D gallery’ just outside their home city, which entails a pre-fabricated gallery for a private art collection, a residential renovation, pool house, and encompassing grounds. a series of weathered steel frames placed at regular intervals rest upon a thick concrete anchor spanning the length of the gallery. clad with a bright red mosaic of panels, the upper level is comprised of a metal construction that cantilevers on three wide flange beams attached to a similar substructure.

lining the presentation area is a custom designed wire mesh that provides a functional flexibility when displaying the varying art pieces. large glass panes, secured by structural steel mullions, enclose the gallery space and allow the landscape to become part of the spatial experience. the irregular sawtooth design of the roof and the contrasting rigidity of the first floor creates a constant shift in perspective throughout the program. much detail was taken into consideration on a multitude of scales from the overall formal diagram to the detailing of the door handles and stair railing connections.

exterior concrete beam and gallery spaces

entrance to main gallery space

swimming pool and gallery space

entrance volume and elevated gallery

main gallery glass wall

glass wall

interior gallery space

interior

interior with stairs to upper gallery

view from upstairs gallery

upstairs gallery

door handle detail

staircase detail with steel rods

steel frame system

exterior

auxiliary gallery entrance

structural frame diagram

site plan 1. gallery 2. walkway 3. addition 4. pool 5. pool house

floor plans 1. gallery 2. entry 3. storage 4. powder room 5. upper gallery 6. mechanical 7. bar

frame section

gallery space systems

connection details

exploded axonometric