Contract - January/February 2013 - (Page 111)

Marlon Blackwell Architect wood, constructed from 224 unique pieces cut from locally harvested cherry. The ceiling replicates a lamella, or ribbed underside of a mushroom, and the vertical angle of the ceiling’s curve becomes a seamless soffit that shades the interior from intense sun through west-facing windows. Computer modeled, the wood slats were fabricated using a CNC machine’s precision technology. “CNC milling saved us a lot of money,” Blackwell says. “Our retail By Emily Hooper Photography by Timothy Hursley The Ozark Mountain Range is a region rich with tradition forged by its early Native American inhabitants and the wanderlust of frontiersmen who followed. Regional pride and identity remain strong, as demonstrated in the design of the museum store “The undulating surfaces reflect the local craftsmanship in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Marlon Blackwell Architect, as well as the design’s relationship to the aesthetic of the museum’s based in nearby Fayetteville, Arkansas, won a art collection. We don’t know of a more beautiful environment in competition of local architects to design the store, as well as to solve some site challenges. which to shop!” JURY The museum itself, designed by Moshe Safdie, opened in 2011 with a permanent collection of profile that adds character,” Blackwell says. “We American masterworks. Located in the same town as contractor estimated the same work by hand would were able to maximize space between them and have cost us double, so we’re proud of how we Walmart’s headquarters in northwest Arkansas, the organize visitor flow.” integrated that into the design process and used it museum was initiated by Alice Walton, daughter of The architects carefully considered as a way to economize construction.” Walmart founder Sam Walton, and primarily funded merchandise organization as well. The fabricThe undulating ceiling extends onto the by the Walton Family Foundation. covered southern wall defines the shop’s literary museum’s back wall for a mycological profile within Within a 3,040-square-foot curved, concrete section and recessed niches contain shelves lit from which glass display shelves are set. In addition to an space in the Safdie-designed building, the museum above to spotlight books and art-related literature. elegant profile, the wooden ceiling’s porosity store needed to be functional, tactile, and a clear Minimalist pendants softly illuminate freestanding provides inherent flexibility for heating and cooling extension of the museum experience. With vitrines constructed from Ozark walnut. Display systems, lighting, and hanging merchandise, and consideration for the local artists who would be cases draw visitors’ attention to merchandise within, softens acoustics to carry a quiet museum feel to featured in the museum store, Marlon Blackwell, and smooth finishing on the bases accentuates the the retail space. The shop’s north and south walls FAIA, and his colleagues began the store design wood’s distinctive graining while keeping the wares are finished in a textured green fabric that process by drawing inspiration from the work of in the limelight. A children’s activity and reading complements the warm cherry hues of the ceiling Arkansas basket maker Leon Niehues. His unique area is nestled to one side, and the cashwrap is and wide-planked floor, and further absorbs sound. weaving style, which combines traditional splint located between the children’s section and the The polished wood also offers a pleasing contrast to techniques with contemporary construction central gondolas, just within sight of a jewelry a series of raw concrete columns original to the methods, yields strong formal profiles formed from display. Handcrafted basketry by Niehues in Safdie building that, in addition to supporting a simple repetitive elements. “Our interpretation of highlighted displays coincides with the interior, green roof, help to define the aesthetic of the space. [Niehues’s] methodology is how we arrived at our and an S-shaped wooden bench with moss-green “We left the columns as they were for a sectional design,” says Blackwell, whose firm more typically upholstery complements the museum store’s shape designs an entire building, including the exterior. and color scheme. “We had to invert our thinking. The challenge was to Crediting the museum for its high expectations provide the space with expressive character and of the project, Blackwell acknowledged his team’s particular form, to arrive at something that is efforts for the success of a museum store that sensible but sensual at the same time.” supports Safdie’s architecture. “He liked it, too,” With the Niehues baskets as inspiration, Blackwell adds. c Blackwell designed an undulating ceiling of slatted contract

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - January/February 2013

Contract - January/February 2013
Contents
Editorial
Industry News
Product Briefs: Lighting
Product Focus: Bonaire and Buxom
Designer of the Year
Legend Award
34th annual interiors awards
Large Office
Small Office
Hotel
Restaurant
Healthcare
Education
Public Space
Showroom
Entertainment
Sustainable
Adaptive Reuse
Retail
Student
Designers Select: Tables and Desks
Sources
Ad Index
Public Interest Design
Perspective: Michael Graves on the Lost Art of Drawing

Contract - January/February 2013