the building architecture

The new 36,000 square-foot Rochester Art Center expresses itself as two architectural forms, one covered in copper and the other zinc-covered, linked by a glass atrium that frames views west to downtown Rochester and east to the river corridor. The south side of the building is encased in zinc and houses the galleries and classroom studios. The building’s copper-covered north tower, which ties the Art Center to the Mayo Civic Center, provides basic service functions, such as stairs and elevators and other building support functions. The copper tower also serves as the structural anchor for the east end of the building, allowing it to cantilever over the city’s bike path and extend out over the river.

Visitors enter the Art Center near the Gallery Shop on the first level and transition into the soaring, three-story Wells Fargo Atrium and Mayo Clinic Grand Lobby. The stunning introduction to the building allows visitors to relate with the Zumbro River, Mayo Park and downtown Rochester. The interiors are designed with white walls, polished concrete floors and glass windows. A dramatic suspended atrium stairway provides access to the second and third floors.

Simple and clean, the design works together with nature – linking the indoors to the outside, creating an environment that glows with light from the interplay of sun on the glass and natural metals used throughout. As the sun sets, the building’s copper and zinc panels reflect the sun’s subtle colors and create a shimmering complement to the river below.

Our thanks to Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA) architectural firm and Kara Hill, lead Project Designer, for their vision, talent and enthusiasm and support of the project. Kara approached the design as a piece of sculpture, while keeping in mind the Art Center’s current and future program needs. A special thank you also to Market & Johnson for helping make the dream of the new art center become a reality.