After producing major revisions on a previously rejected design, BIG have had their second design rejected for the Kimball Art Center in Park City, Utah. City Hall rejected the design on the basis of appearance, arguing that it did not relate to the historic city centre "aesthetically, visually or historically." The second design by BIG marked a complete departure from the original that was selected as the winner of an architectural contest hosted by the Kimball Art Center.
The revised design called for a more modest low-lying structure, introducing street level windows with a more urban atmosphere while eliminating the log cabin aesthetic from the previous design. Arguably more conservative aesthetically, the revised design focused on linearity while continuing to represent the storied history of Park City, however City Hall planning staffers claimed that the contemporary design failed to meet the strict guidelines of old town Park City.
Despite the rejection, Park City Planning Director Thomas Eddington was charitable about the project, telling local newspaper Park Record that "there was a lot of effort put into this building," and reiterating that "everyone wants for the Kimball to be in this location."
The Kimball Art Center have until August 31st to appeal the decision - or alternatively to send BIG back to the drawing board for a third attempt. They have yet to indicate their plans for the next step.
Story via Park Record
