Land used by the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Pennsylvania is now being transformed into a dynamic arts, culture and education campus known as SteelStacks. Anchoring the 4.5 acres campus will be Spillman Farmer Architects’ ArtsQuest Center, a four-storey glass and steel structure with 68,000 sq ft of distinctive venues to showcase the arts.
More about the ArtsQuest Center after the break.
The design emphasizes careful detailing to add depth and richness to the simple box form. The exterior’s pre-cast concrete panels are actually mounted with the rough, hand-screed concrete side facing outward, to give the material texture and a visual interest that will change as the sun moves over the building. A large outdoor terrace is cantilevered off the building and supported by bright orange steel beams.
The four storey tall building features a variety of program. The first floor features a two-screen cinema theater as well a large public space capable of supporting a wide variety of live performances. A loft overlooks this common space, and is designed for a variety of community and educational functions. The third and fourth floors feature the 450-seat, cabaret-style Musikfest Café, a venue to showcase a wide variety of live music performances.
