Tacoma Art Museum seeks qualified firms and/or individuals to submit concepts to redesign the museum’s plaza and perimeter to create a landmark civic space that enlivens downtown Tacoma. The Board of Trustees envisions the future of the museum’s plaza and perimeter as a gathering space for people, performances, and art. The concept will address landscape, art, and signage elements to increase visibility and to support the museum’s values of civic mindedness and approachability.
The intent of this blog is to enable a conversation between sincerely interested candidates and Rock Hushka, Tacoma Art Museum's Director of Curatorial Administration and Curator of Contemporary and Northwest Art.
The entire Request for Concepts can be read at www.TacomaArtMuseum.org/plaza.
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David Boe had an excellent plaza redesign concept drawn in chalk on your current plaza...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/learn2draw/3456410975/
Thanks. We often visit Exit 133 and very much enjoyed David's chalk sketch.
ReplyDeleteWho is on the Plaza Redesign Task Force?
ReplyDeleteThe Plaza Redesign Task Force includes Tacoma Art Museum Trustees and Steve Barger, Sandy Desner, Susan Russell Hall, Lisa Hoffman, and Maro Imirzian and Community Members. Tacoma Art Museum’s Director Stephanie Stebich and I, in my role as Curator of Contemporary and Northwest Art, also attend the Task Force meetings. Trustee Jeff Brown served as co-chair of the Task Force during the initial months beginning this January. In order to avoid a conflict of interest, he resigned from the committee in mid-April, when the decision was made to select a firm or individual through a Request for Concept. He anticipated that his firm, BCRA, would submit a proposal.
ReplyDeleteIs the large open parkinglot to the south of the Museum part of the museum property?
ReplyDeleteWhat format does the final submission need to be? 8 1/2" x 11" / 11 x 17/ larger???
ReplyDeleteThe parking lot to the south is the property of the Federal Courthouse. The proposal should address only the area within the property boundary line.
ReplyDeletePlease, submit using the standard size of 8 1/2 x 11 inches.
Are plans of the existing site and surrounding context(with grading, plant and material information) as well as plans/sections of the building and parking level available? Is additional information on the concept and history of the building available?
ReplyDeleteWill TAM hire the winning firm to complete the design? Will the selected firm get paid for their concept design or just for subsequent design phases?
ReplyDeleteWe've included a basic plan of the site including the elevation and the adjacent features like the Federal Courthouse parking lot to the south and Pacific Ave. and Hood Street, all of which define the borders of our property. Specifics about materials and plantings are details that may be suggested in the submissions. At this stage, we are most interested in how firms or individuals respond to the two key findings of the task force: visibility/distinction and circulation issues.
ReplyDeleteBasic information about the building may be found on our website under "The Building." Additionally, our museum has been published in numerous publications and reviews, notably "Antoine Predock, Architect" vol. 4.
We will ask that the selected proposal be further developed during the summer. The firm or individual will present their work to our Board of Trustees in the autumn. The Board will make the final determination to move forward. Compensation for the concept and any additional work will included in the overall budget.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a wall or some sort of structure that muralists and street artists would be able to paint on a once a month basis.
ReplyDeleteHow many firms / individuals do you anticipate making the shortlist for interviews? Will equal points be awarded for qualifications based on firm's / individual's experience or for the content of the conceptual design?
ReplyDeleteWe have not set a specific number of firms or individuals for the shortlist. We will select the responses that we feel resonate with the task force. Some numbers we have discussed range from five to ten. But, if the conceptual approaches are innovative and spark the interest of the committee, we will allow more as appropriate. The flip side of this follows that if fewer proposals demonstrate masterful and innovative responses we reserve the right to interview fewer candidates.
ReplyDeleteThe selection will be weighted more heavily toward the conceptual approach. We are working to identify the best solution to our situation. We will work closely with the firm or individual to realize the project successfully.
This sounds like a vanity project. How will the TAM raise $3million during a recession?
ReplyDeleteAfter the site walk on May 18th you are allowing only a few weeks to develop a conceptual design. Is there a specific reason driving the short timeframe for submittals?
ReplyDeleteOur Board of Trustees has approved the plaza redesign as part of a comprehensive strategic plan for the museum. Because the budget has not yet been determined, we cannot detail or commit to a specific fund raising plan. There are various fund raising options that we will explore as we move forward.
ReplyDeleteThe short time frame was chosen to keep the focus solely on the concept. We decided to do a Request for Concept rather than a RFQ or RFP to find the best possible solution. At this stage, we hope to have the "cocktail napkin sketch" rather than a fully articulated plan. We believe that this time frame will keep the focus on ideas instead of complex and detailed plans.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the comment on the 13th regarding the type of art. I appreciate your feedback. At this stage, we want to keep our attention on the plaza redesign.
ReplyDeleteUltimate completion of a plaza project could involve a number of other collaborators, including civil engineering, structural engineering, surveying, geotechnical, electrical, etc. Should proposers include a complete consultant team or do you see that being developed at a future date?
ReplyDeleteIs any of the plaza built above occupied space (on structure)?
For this initial submission, the only focus should be on the concept. During the subsequent stages, the team would be developed as needed.
ReplyDeleteThere is no occupied space under the plaza.
Thanks to the nearly 75 people who came to the walk-through this morning. We appreciate your interest in our project and enjoyed talking with you.
ReplyDeleteThe following is a summary from the two sessions of Q&A.
Can improvements extend into the right-of-way?
The museum will seek input from the city at the earliest possible stage to have their consent. Because Pacific Avenue is a main arterial in downtown Tacoma, the city’s approval of our design is crucial.
What are the original design concepts that guided the Predock building?
The primary inspiration for the building was a metaphorical ascent of Mount Rainier. The galleries radiate from the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation Walkway into the largest gallery, the Annette B. Weyerhaeuser Gallery. The natural environment of the Pacific Northwest pervades the building: natural light filters into the building from the central courtyard; the reflections of the courtyard evoke Puget Sound; and the stainless steel skin on the exterior matches the magical qualities of the region’s winter light.
Are there plans for long-term expansions on the property?
The original designs of the building included various potential additions to the south and northeast. However, the building committee worked closely with Predock to define the scope of the building as it was constructed.
What are the primary concerns for the new design?
The museum’s Plaza Redesign Task Force has identified two primary issues that must be addressed: (1) street visibility and the museum’s distinction from Pacific Avenue and I-705; and (2) access and circulation from the parking area into the museum’s lobby.
Are there plans for a light rail stop in front of the museum?
The light rail system is currently designed with minimal numbers of stops. We are not aware of any adjustments to the service. There are long-term plans to expand the service in Tacoma, and changes will be decided through Sound Transit.
What kind of feedback from museum visitors have we received?
The response is almost always divided into insight and outside. Virtually all of our visitors appreciate the museum’s interior, and we receive generous positive feedback about their experience. From the outside, the story is quite the opposite. Since we have opened, we continually hear that our parking situation is very difficult and that the dark front of the building makes us look closed. The highly refined aesthetic also generates a fair amount of comment about the starkness and near invisibility.
What kind of art will be on the plaza?
We have not yet established an art program for the plaza. There are numerous options that remain to be weighed. The first being a signature sculpture in front of the museum. We anticipate that this redesign process will refine our thinking. Currently, we hope to have a lively program of temporary and permanent sculpture, focusing the artists of the Pacific Northwest.
Do museum staff members eat their lunches on the plaza?
Sometimes. Most of us eat in the staff break room on the administrative level. Frankly, it’s not the most pleasant place in the museum. Compare the plaza to the balcony above the main entrance.
The plaza is used most often by school groups on pleasant days. We also use the space during family or community festivals throughout the year.
Is the retaining wall a structure that predates the building?
No, it was erected during the construction phase in 2001–02.
Are there significant issues with the property?
The large tree near the plinth is considered scared, and we hope to preserve it and help it thrive. Cultural resources survey and mitigation were completed prior to construction. Because of the site’s historic context, we hope to limit any potential impact to undiscovered cultural resources.
How much coverage and protection from the elements will the plaza require?
This is very much an issue to be determined by the designer. We hope to have this space active year round and hope that this will be taken into account in all of the proposals.
Is Predock aware of this plaza redesign?
We invited Predock to submit a proposal earlier this spring. The task force determined that his concepts did not meet our needs or expectations.
Are there schematics for the parking level?
We will look through the remaining documents and find the most significant. We’ll digitize it and post it as quickly as possible.
What is the budget and timeline?
The budget is up to $3 million. The timeline will be determined by the scope of the project. The three key dates upcoming are the June 5 deadline for submission at 5 pm, the selection and notification of the short list on June 22, and the presentations on July 9.
What are the submission sizes and can they be larger?
The task force determined the size of the sheets to be 8 1/2 x 11 inches because this will keep the focus on the concept rather than a detailed articulation of a comprehensive plan. The task force will discuss changing this requirement, and I will post the decision to keep or change this as soon as possible.
Will teams be asked to work together to realize different visions or components in the plaza?
We anticipate that we will select a single firm or individual who would assemble their own team.
What kind of programming would happen on the plaza?
We will continue to use the plaza for all aspects of the museum’s work: art, education, development.
Would the plaza extend toward the city?
The plaza should better connect the museum building to the city. The building was sited to align with Mount Rainier, and in some ways turns its back toward the main part of the city. We hope that the redesigned plaza embraces the entire building and creates a visual continuity. Another way to think about this is that the plaza will function as a transitional zone between the city and the interior of the museum.
Is the primary purpose of the Request for Concept to generate a single idea that will be developed further or to establish a relationship between the designer and the museum?
The vision for this hybrid process is that proposal for the redesign will be refined through a multi-step process. First will involved further development of the idea to be presented to the task force and Board of Trustees. Next, we will share our proposal with the city and the various communities. We believe that this level of community involvement will help strengthen the final design and help the city embrace our plans for an improved civic space.
Are there city codes that will shape the final design?
The short answer is “yes,” and the longer answer is that the Federal Courthouse will also be part of the design review. At this stage, we are seeking the best possible responses to our needs. We will work with all agencies to ensure that the design meets all codes and requirements. The process will also require review by the Landmark Preservation Commission.
How many parking spaces are currently used?
The courthouse lot contains about 110 spaces, and the museum has created 125.
Are maintenance issues a concern?
Yes, the museum will be responsible for the upkeep, preservation, and security of all elements of the design. We hope that the design will be consistent with the scope.
Director Stephanie Stebich closed the walk through with these remarks.
The museum continues to experience “problems of success.” Our spaces sometimes do not facilitate ideal experiences, especially during periods of high demand or traffic. We hope that the plaza will continue this level of success and pride in our museum.
The plaza is one part of the section of downtown Tacoma that remains unresolved: derelict railway, new construction, growth. Our plaza should connect the city’s future growth: UW Tacoma, the convention center, and new commercial and residential development.
The plaza provides an opportunity to set a vision for the future of the city and provide leadership to connect vital and central elements in downtown.
There are various online resources that explore options and share opinions about the potential of this area. One example is the blog Exit133.com.
Tacoma Art Museum’s missions states that we strive to be a national model for a regional museum. One indicator of this would be if our new plaza won a national award for excellence.
The redesigned plaza should provide a visual cue to the museum’s history and ambitions to be a civic landmark at the heart of Tacoma.
It would be very helpful to have a plan of the parking level. I notice that you are planning to post it online, but I am not sure where to find it.
ReplyDeleteIt would be very nice to have plans of all levels of the building to know how the interior spaces relate with the plaza. Will you let us know how to find these drawings if they are already posted?
ReplyDeleteIs the pdf of the site plan to scale? It shows a scale of 1/16"=1'-0" but doesn't seem to match the bar scale as shown. Is there access to a scaled plan?
ReplyDeleteWe are looking in our archives for a plan of the lower level that includes parking and the construction. Finding old architectural plans is a bit tricker than I anticipated.
ReplyDeleteThe lower two levels of the building are staff work areas and behind-the-scenes spaces including art storage spaces, a construction shop, electrical room, and elevator guts. There are no public access points to these lower levels. Due to security issues, we cannot post them on the web. Our fine arts insurance agent would certainly frown on this.
ReplyDeleteBasically, the interior spaces are accessed by the public solely through the main lobby. One of the reasons that we are redesigning the plaza is that we have identified that there is a significant disconnect between the lower parking level and the main entry.
The notation was included on all of the plans that we used to layer to create a single outline of the building and property to include the elevation contours. Since I have no architectural training, I readily admit that I do not understand precisely what the relationship between the notion and the scale bar should be and how to reconcile the two to better answer your question.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose for our unconventional, hybrid Request for Concept is to have presented to the museum, concepts that demonstrate that you understand our needs and desires and have the glimmer or spark that will ultimately lead to the best solution. I urge you to keep your efforts focused solely on the concept--visibility and access/circulation--rather than a carefully articulated plan.
Where do school buses drop off/ park currently?
ReplyDeleteJust a point of clarification...although the plaza is not over occupied space, it is built on a structure...not on grade. Is there a plan that shows the area of the plaza that is on structure and the area that is on grade?
ReplyDeletePlease, find the additional schematic of the lower level parking area. This is an old, working document, and the yellow marks highlights are simply designated staff parking areas.
ReplyDeleteAlso, please, note that the task force has decided to keep the submission sheet size at 8 1/2 by 11 inches.
The school buses currently drive behind the building and are unloaded near the elevator and exterior stairs, named in honor of former trustee Alan Liddle.
ReplyDeleteThe plaza is a concrete slab held aloft by concrete posts. The area shown suspended is marked in the plaza schematic by the slender dotted line. It roughly forms a triangle. The area of the plaza that is on grade corresponds to the sidewalk.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the triangle shaped building on Pacific used for? Is this storage for the Museum?
ReplyDeleteThe "plinth" is currently used for storage.
ReplyDeleteWe are discussing many ideas for how to redesign the plaza. Are we limited to one idea/concept entry per firm, or can one firm sponsor multiple concepts?
ReplyDeleteEach firm or team may submit one entry. The caveat: if a firm is considering multiple options and each is headed by a different individual, we will accept multiple entries BUT each proposal must have a unique designer or team leader. Like our original proposal, this response to multiple entries has been crafted to focus attention on the best possible solution.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the terrace over the entry vestibule used for?
ReplyDeleteI see that the submission size is staying at 8.5x11, but is the sheet quantity still 3 pages or have any more been added. It was something that was discussed in the walk-through.
ReplyDeleteIt is used mainly used to enjoy the view down Pacific Avenue. It is a great place to stand and soak in the history of Tacoma. Sometimes in the summer months, people will bring their lunch and enjoy the space.
ReplyDeleteThe number of pages remains three: a rendering of the proposed design on one page, a written description of how the proposal will address our needs and improve the street visibility and circulation, and a summary of the firm or individual's qualifications.
ReplyDeleteHow rigid are the three page requirements? Can the second page contain graphic illustrations to reinforce the written description? And, can the third page also help explain the concept with graphics and text? Or, is the third page only for the submiter's qualifications?
ReplyDeleteThe three pages may be used as you see necessary, and graphic illustrations may accompany the written description.
ReplyDeleteCan the (3) 8 1/2 x 11 sheets be submitted digitally via email/FTP or is it necessary to mail a hard copy?
ReplyDeleteWe will accept only digital submissions: pdf format no larger than 200 dpi.
ReplyDeleteIs there any talk of the deadline being extended
ReplyDeleteThe museum's Board of Trustees have set the deadline. Because the time line was set in conjunction with the museum's strategic plan, we are not able to extend it.
ReplyDeleteYou state that you want the pdf format to be no larger than 200 dpi; is there a maximum file size?
ReplyDeleteThere is no specific limit on the file size. However, we request a nod towards the practical. The files will not be published, so the size becomes one of a designer's judgment. We will review the files digitally and, if requested by members of the task force, printed on paper. Please, keep in mind legibility in both formats.
ReplyDeleteCan we post a firm resume as opposed to an indivdual resume for #3 summary of submitter's qualifications? Ours is a collaborative effort with out a specific team lead at this point.
ReplyDeleteYes. We are asking for the qualifications, so submit your firm's as you would with a standard RFQ but limited to one page.
ReplyDelete