School of The Art Institute Galleries and Graduate Studios – 33 E. Washington

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has relocated its galleries and graduate studios to a more prominent location that provides a street level presence in the Chicago Loop. The project includes the renovation of four levels in a historic building that had been a department store. A new central communicating stair with views into adjacent spaces connects the street-level lobby and gallery to three lower levels. The architect was asked by SAIC to study the feasibility of moving their galleries and graduate studios to this new location, and to develop the design of the new facility. Galleries on Lower Levels 1 and 2 are configured as highly flexible space with movable walls and smaller installation rooms around the perimeter. New lighting and mechanical and other building systems were carefully coordinated to preserve ceiling heights. Lower Levels 2 and 3 are also home to gallery offices and support spaces along with new individual studio spaces and critique rooms for graduate students.

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