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Physical model of the mountain set - view from entry.
2/14
New large windows are framed by deep set tapered aluminum fins that reflect light into the lobby space within.
3/14
Line drawing of facade & mountain set beyond.
4/14
Physical model of facade & mountain set beyond.
5/14
The open facade welcomes the public and foregrounds the interior lobby & slatted white oak mountain, making a new visual connection with the sidewalk and street.
6/14
Panelization diagram of the mountain. A lightweight stage set for the public lobby, the assemblage of slatted white oak unifies elevator, stairs, storage, balcony and ticketing counter into a single visual element.
7/14
Physical model of the slatted white oak mountain. The artifice performs as a public set for the lobby, unifying elevator, stairs, storage, balcony and ticketing counter into a single visual element.
8/14
The mountain set. A slatted white oak artifice unifies elevator, stairs, storage, balcony and ticketing counter into a single visual element.
9/14
Deep chromosomal mullions each have a short (p) arm and a longer turned (q) arm. The varying degree of arm turns determine the perceived openess of the facade, which shifts with the movement of the observer.
10/14
The facade appears most open from a viewpoint perpindicular to it.
11/14
Mock-up of sill, jamb & mullions.
12/14
A previous extension occupied the same ground for most of the building's life until being demolished in the 1980s.
13/14
Masonry stem walls were added to the facade in the 1930s. The new lobby will occupy the space bracketed by these two walls.
14/14
Three mullion of the facade do not turn and reference three original windows above.

CHOICIRCIATI CULTURAL CENTER EXPANSION

Choicirciati Cultural Center / NYCDDC, New York, NY

Proposal 2014
Project 2015-19
Projected Completion 2022-23

The Choicirciati Cultural Center Expansion project, with a modest 5' addition to the front of the buildling, doubles the size of and spatially opens the public lobby space for the three theater companies (Teatro Circulo, IATI Theater, and Paradise Factory Theater) that comprise the CCC. R+L is removing existing barriers separating upper and lower theater access in a unified street floor lobby & facade that will accommodate a larger public and provide a new identity for the CCC.

Deep window mullions, set at the depth of existing masonry walls, each have a quasi-chromosomal short arm and long arm turned to varying degrees. The resulting fixed shutter-facade alters the perceived openess of the facade based on the movement of passersby and of visitors within. The facade frames a newly open interior space and slatted white oak mountain, a lightweight assembly that unifies elevator, stairs, storage, balcony and ticketing counter into a single visual element - a public set for the lobby.

Rice+Lipka Architects
Principals: Lyn Rice & Astrid Lipka
Sr Associate: Taylor McNally-Anderson; Associate: Benjamin Cadena
Project Team: Timothy Khalifa, Ahmad Khan, Shu Du, Yiyao Liu, Caleb Sillars, Iggy So, Yiyao Tang

Preservation: Jorge Otero-Pailos
Structural: Silman
Environmental: Plus Group
Lighting: Lumen
Security, Technology, Audiovisual: Shen Milsom & Wilke