steven holl's institute for contemporary art opens in virginia

steven holl’s insitute for contemporary art (ICA) at virginia commonwealth university opened in richmond, virginia on april 21, 2018. the building, which has been documented here by photographer iwan baan, will transform the historic broad and belvidere intersection, and serve as a gateway between the campus and the city of richmond. with over 41,000 square feet, the building comprises a series of exhibition and programming spaces which spans across three levels.

with over 41,000 square feet, the building comprises a series of exhibition and programming spaces
image © iwan baan (also main image)

internally, steven holl’s design centers around a double-height atrium, which serves as a flexible volume encouraging both spontaneous interaction and planned events. dynamic galleries branch out from this central core, encircling an external area of recreation. the three connected levels of exhibition space extend throughout the structure, allowing visitors to traverse the building naturally through a number of different routes. in addition, the building also houses a 247-seat auditorium, a café, and classrooms and office space, forming an educational and cultural resource for the city. 

the building has been designed as a ‘flexible, forward-looking instrument’
image © iwan baan

‘we have designed the building to be a flexible, forward-looking instrument that can illuminate the transformative possibilities of contemporary art, like many contemporary artists working today, the ICA’s design does not draw distinctions between the visual and performing arts,’ explains steven holl. ‘the fluidity of the design allows for experimentation, and will encourage new ways to display and present art that will capitalize on the ingenuity and creativity apparent throughout the VCU campus’.

dynamic gallery spaces branch out from a central core, encircling an external area of recreation
image © iwan baan

the ICA will debut with its inaugural exhibition, ‘declaration’, an exploration of contemporary art’s power to respond to pressing social issues through the voices of 34 emerging and established artists from richmond and around the globe. the show will be on view through september 9, 2018. find out more about the institute for contemporary art and its opening schedule here.

the design centers around a double-height atrium, which serves as a flexible volume
image © iwan baan

the institution will debut with its inaugural exhibition, ‘declaration’
image © iwan baan

in addition to gallery spaces, the building houses a café, classrooms and office space
image © iwan baan

the structure is permeated by carefully controlled levels of daylight
image © iwan baan

view of one of the ICA’s elevator interiors
image © iwan baan

a 247-seat auditorium is also included
image © iwan baan

the building is sited at a historic intersection, serving as a gateway between the campus and the city
image © iwan baan