Clifton Cultural Arts Center

Project Narrative

Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) is a non-profit arts organization that serves as a regional hub for diversity, community and creativity, representing an essential thread in the fabric of Cincinnati’s arts community. The design of CCAC’s new, permanent home worked within a tight but prominent urban infill site in the heart of the community they serve, Clifton. Much like the organization itself, the design process was rooted in collaboration and imagination. From input sessions with patrons and neighbors, it was clear that the design needed to fit within the context of this Uptown neighborhood, but also convey the sense of artistry and welcome that both CCAC and Clifton take pride in.
The exterior of the building nods to the surroundings of Clifton’s historic masonry facades but presents a contemporary and artful interpretation with areas of glass opening the corners and showcasing art at the street front. Inside, a small square footage had to make big impact. The interior spaces were envisioned as bright, minimal canvases that let the vibrancy of the art, people and activities truly sing. Each space was designed to transform – a two-story gallery can host yoga sessions, the theater easily divides for salsa class or writing workshops, and classrooms pivot from visual arts to dance rooms from day to day. The rooftop incorporates a green roof and patio with distinctive views of the city during receptions, outdoor classes and performances. Beyond the building walls, careful zoning analysis and cooperative agreements with neighbors allowed for a minimized shared parking footprint, giving critical area back to outdoor and interior spaces.
A modest budget and footprint could have been perceived as limitations – instead, these factors became the inspiration for re-imagining every square foot of CCAC’s new home and how it will serve its community today and well into the future.

                                           

Project Details -

Submission Category

Building Architecture- Large Scale (>10,000 sf)

Date of Completion

February, 2024