Storefront for Art and Architecture

Store for Art and Architecture is really a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of innovative positions in architecture, art and style. This program of displays, artists talks, film tests, conferences and guides is supposed to generate dialogue and collaboration across geographic, ideological and disciplinary limitations. Like a public forum for emerging voices, Store explores vital issues in art and architecture using the intent of growing understanding of and curiosity about contemporary design.

In 1992, Steven Holl and artist Vito Acconci were commissioned like a collaborative team to renovate the maturing facade from the Store for Art and Architecture. The Store for Art and Architecture is found on the corner of the block that marks the intersection of three distinct communities: Chinatown, Little Italia and SOHO. The gallery is a restricted, narrow wedge having a triangulated exhibition interior, so that probably the most dominant structure for that Store for Art and Architecture may be the building's lengthy facade.

Trying to introduce improbability and also to puncture the facade, Acconci and Holl challenged this symbolic border which underlines the exclusivity from the art world, where only individuals inside belong. Utilizing a hybrid material composed of concrete combined with recycled materials, Holl and Acconci placed a number of hinged sections arranged inside a puzzle-like configuration. Once the sections are kept in their open position, the facade dissolves and also the usable interior space from the gallery grows out onto the pavement. When the purpose of a facade is to produce a division separating the interior in the outdoors space.