Workshop Review: Cultural Projects

Cultural spaces hold a special place in our hearts, and for good reason: they are spaces devoted entirely to the joy of human expression and creation. They are also spaces to which access is largely democratic. Though great architecture can create exceptional private homes, luxury condo developments, cutting-edge office buildings, and even exceptional infrastructure, museums and galleries are one vehicle for architectural expression and creativity that anyone can enjoy.

Nevertheless, these buildings are uniquely challenging to realize. The role of museums in communities evolves, making their uses and the types of programming they need to host complex and dynamic. Museum buildings themselves need to be resilient and long-lasting, capable of adapting so they are future-proofed for changing needs and social or technological innovations.

Museums are also capital-intensive, technically complex, and subject to intense public scrutiny. Navigating these projects can be an arduous journey, certainly not for the faint of heart.

For this online Workshop, Brick & Wonder Founder Drew Lang hosted a conversation exploring the dynamics of cultural projects with acclaimed museum architect and Brick & Wonder member, Gabriel Smith, Principal at Allied Works.

Brick & Wonder members can access our video recap here.

About Gabriel Smith

Gabriel Smith is a Principal at Allied Works in New York City. He has driven the design of complex national and international projects in the public realm for arts, education, commercial and government clients. His works have earned twenty American Institute of Architects Design Awards and he was elected to the AIA College of Fellows for his contributions as a designer. His recent projects include the Glenstone Museum, the Museum of Modern Art Warsaw and a tower in Bogota Colombia. Gabriel is a LEED AP with experience on net-zero, LEED Platinum and Sustainable Sites projects.