Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Art of Creating an Art Museum - Bainbridge Island Review
By CONNIE MEARS
Bainbridge Island Review Staff writer
February 24, 2012 · 2:23 PM
As winter comes to an end, the island’s bare branches might appear lifeless – but if you look closer, you’ll find them covered in buds just waiting to burst.
You might make that same conclusion looking at the site of the future Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Its gray foundation mirrors winter’s bleak skies, but like the tulips and daffodils, a lot is going on below the surface. Literally.
The museum, aiming for environmentally friendly LEED gold
designation, took a detour to incorporate geothermal heating, digging 14
underground wells that will draw heat from the earth. That’s in
addition to plans for solar panels on the roof; use of recycled
materials, including insulation made from old denim; a vegetated roof
garden and a “living” wall. The building, designed by Bainbridge
resident and architect Matthew Coates with input from the community,
would be the first museum in Washington state and one of only a handful
in the country to earn that designation.
“It’s not easy for museums to qualify because they have a high energy need – to keep the temperature and humidity constant for the art, along with high lighting requirements,” Coates said.
And while Coates contemplates possible gold status,
BIMA’s Executive Director Greg Robinson is pretty excited about the basement.
“It’s not a space that a lot of people think about,” he said. “It’s not the sexiest part.”
It’s important to Robinson because it contains the museum’s archival space for art storage, a loading dock, offices and the mechanical rooms. In other words, it’s the guts of the museum, and essential to behind-the-scenes magic. Attention was paid to meet the highest museum standards to be eligible to host exhibits from other museums in the region.
Above ground, Phase I includes the 95-seat auditorium which has already been used for plays, documentary screenings and civic events, and classroom space which hosted numerous KiDiMu summer camps last year, as well as an ongoing Life Drawing class on Tuesdays.
Learning curve
The building’s curve will lead visitors toward the entrance, and the generous use of glass allows people to see into the museum.
“We wanted it to be accessible, approachable, inviting,” Coates said. “Not just a box with cool stuff in it.”
“Sherry Grover taught me about public spaces,” said Cynthia Sears, the museum’s initiator. “People want to know they’re not going to be trapped; they want to know how something works, that they can move at their own pace and won’t get stuck with someone lecturing them.”
Once inside the lobby and reception area, an adjacent orientation gallery will enable docents and teachers to orient small groups and relay “museum manners” before setting off on an aesthetic adventure. That area spills out into the permanent collection gallery and an adjacent children’s and youth-focused space that might house art by kids – or art that is of interest to them.
Around the corner is a small gift shop that will carry touchstones, not trinkets.
From there, the Grand Hall leads to a dramatic staircase that ascends along the building’s curved wall of windows.
The top floor will house revolving exhibits in the main gallery and in the intimate spaces of the Sherry Grover Room and the Beacon Gallery, named for its visibility to those traveling by ferry.
A 300-square-foot roof terrace and garden overlooking the courtyard has been named in honor of Island Treasures and early museum supporters George Little and David Lewis.
An elevator (or stairs) will take visitors to the small cafe or back to the lobby.
The overall size is ample but not intimidating and natural light, greenery and natural materials will add warmth to the space as well.
A beacon
From the beginning, the project has been charmed, not only in landing such a fortuitous location, but in drawing a team of talented, gracious people.
Board member and engineer Ralph Spillenger, formerly in charge of NASA facilities, has been instrumental in shaving $1 million off building costs, said Sears. “He checks everything. And he’s one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.”
Coates is so local people forget he’s a nationally acclaimed architect – whose specialty happens to be environmentally progressive buildings.
“It’s been a huge honor to be involved in this project,” he said (repeatedly).
Even one of the building’s design elements metaphorically reflects the magnetic draw the project has had, and will have into the future. When lit, a two-story glass structure facing the corner will act as a beacon, visible from the water and to those pulling in from the ferry.
To learn more, or to get involved, visit www.bainbridgeartmuseum.org.
Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff writer Connie Mears at cmears@bainbridgereview.com or 206-842-6613.
Bainbridge Island Review Staff writer
February 24, 2012 · 2:23 PM
As winter comes to an end, the island’s bare branches might appear lifeless – but if you look closer, you’ll find them covered in buds just waiting to burst.
You might make that same conclusion looking at the site of the future Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Its gray foundation mirrors winter’s bleak skies, but like the tulips and daffodils, a lot is going on below the surface. Literally.
“It’s not easy for museums to qualify because they have a high energy need – to keep the temperature and humidity constant for the art, along with high lighting requirements,” Coates said.
And while Coates contemplates possible gold status,
BIMA’s Executive Director Greg Robinson is pretty excited about the basement.
“It’s not a space that a lot of people think about,” he said. “It’s not the sexiest part.”
It’s important to Robinson because it contains the museum’s archival space for art storage, a loading dock, offices and the mechanical rooms. In other words, it’s the guts of the museum, and essential to behind-the-scenes magic. Attention was paid to meet the highest museum standards to be eligible to host exhibits from other museums in the region.
Above ground, Phase I includes the 95-seat auditorium which has already been used for plays, documentary screenings and civic events, and classroom space which hosted numerous KiDiMu summer camps last year, as well as an ongoing Life Drawing class on Tuesdays.
Learning curve
The building’s curve will lead visitors toward the entrance, and the generous use of glass allows people to see into the museum.
“We wanted it to be accessible, approachable, inviting,” Coates said. “Not just a box with cool stuff in it.”
“Sherry Grover taught me about public spaces,” said Cynthia Sears, the museum’s initiator. “People want to know they’re not going to be trapped; they want to know how something works, that they can move at their own pace and won’t get stuck with someone lecturing them.”
Once inside the lobby and reception area, an adjacent orientation gallery will enable docents and teachers to orient small groups and relay “museum manners” before setting off on an aesthetic adventure. That area spills out into the permanent collection gallery and an adjacent children’s and youth-focused space that might house art by kids – or art that is of interest to them.
Around the corner is a small gift shop that will carry touchstones, not trinkets.
From there, the Grand Hall leads to a dramatic staircase that ascends along the building’s curved wall of windows.
The top floor will house revolving exhibits in the main gallery and in the intimate spaces of the Sherry Grover Room and the Beacon Gallery, named for its visibility to those traveling by ferry.
A 300-square-foot roof terrace and garden overlooking the courtyard has been named in honor of Island Treasures and early museum supporters George Little and David Lewis.
An elevator (or stairs) will take visitors to the small cafe or back to the lobby.
The overall size is ample but not intimidating and natural light, greenery and natural materials will add warmth to the space as well.
A beacon
From the beginning, the project has been charmed, not only in landing such a fortuitous location, but in drawing a team of talented, gracious people.
Board member and engineer Ralph Spillenger, formerly in charge of NASA facilities, has been instrumental in shaving $1 million off building costs, said Sears. “He checks everything. And he’s one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.”
Coates is so local people forget he’s a nationally acclaimed architect – whose specialty happens to be environmentally progressive buildings.
“It’s been a huge honor to be involved in this project,” he said (repeatedly).
Even one of the building’s design elements metaphorically reflects the magnetic draw the project has had, and will have into the future. When lit, a two-story glass structure facing the corner will act as a beacon, visible from the water and to those pulling in from the ferry.
To learn more, or to get involved, visit www.bainbridgeartmuseum.org.
Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff writer Connie Mears at cmears@bainbridgereview.com or 206-842-6613.
Friday, February 3, 2012
"The Lorax" Trees for Global Benefits Fundraiser - March 3rd!
SAVE THE DATE - BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
The Lorax is coming to
Bainbridge Island!
Bainbridge Island!
Join your community for a private showing of Dr Seuss'
"The Lorax" on opening weekend to raise funds to support EcoTrust - Uganda's Trees for Global Benefits initiative.
"The Lorax" on opening weekend to raise funds to support EcoTrust - Uganda's Trees for Global Benefits initiative.
Your ticket will grant you
access to a pre-movie reception where there will be refreshments and
kid-friendly activities, followed by a private showing of Dr Seuss' "The
Lorax" movie. All proceeds from ticket sales will support EcoTrust -
Uganda's TREES FOR GLOBAL BENEFITS initiative, assisting small farmers
in Uganda to plant and maintain trees, a program that helps to offset
global carbon impacts while improving economic opportunity.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
DJC: Kitsap County gets its first LEED gold office
Daily Journal of Commerce
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A development firm named
Asani teamed up with PHC Construction and Coates Design Architects to turn a
neighborhood eyesore into an energy efficient building.
All three companies now
have their offices in the Granero Office Building on Bainbridge Island. Asani said the project recently became Kitsap
County’s first LEED gold building.
The structure was a
municipal shed built in the 1950s and used for truck maintenance. Today, it is an energy efficient,
light-filled office space. The project
was completed in 2009.
Marty Sievertson, owner
and president of PHC Construction, said he was delighted to participate in the
project and is happy with the results.
“Our people really enjoy the open airy feel and collaborative work
environment that was created here.”
More than half of the
original structure was reused. The new
building has exterior shades to reduce light pollution, extremely low-water
fixtures including waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets. The landscaping requires no irrigation. Interior lights are on timers or occupancy
sensors and 75 percent of the building is daylit. FSC wood was used for the majority of the
framing and all composite wood is free or urea formaldehyde.
The building is near the
Bainbridge Island ferry terminal at 710 John Nelson Lane N.E. Nearby bus routes offer alternative commuting
options.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Bainbridge art museum's opening delayed a year - KITSAP SUN
By Tristan Baurick
Published Sunday, January 22, 2012
KITSAP SUN
Published Sunday, January 22, 2012
KITSAP SUN
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND —
The slow pace of fundraising and construction has delayed the opening of the West Sound's first art museum by at least a year.
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art had planned to open its
state-of-the-art, $13 million facility on Winslow Way by mid-2012. Now,
the opening date isn't likely until late spring or early summer 2013,
and is contingent on a $2.3 million fundraising push that museum
supporters hope to finish before the summer construction season.
"We were just not making enough (fundraising) progress for it to be responsible of us to move on to the second phase," said Chris Snow, a member of the museum's board, which took shape in 2009.
Last year, the nonprofit museum opened an office, classroom and 95-seat auditorium in an Island Gateway commercial building that will eventually connect with the museum's main exhibition building, which had its foundation completed early this month. The design for the finished building calls for a two-story wedge of steel and glass jutting toward the high-traffic Winslow Way-Highway 305 intersection.
Museum supporters say it will be a landmark building seen by nearly all who visit Winslow by ferry or travel in via the highway.
Totaling 20,000 square feet, the museum will have room for a permanent contemporary art collection, traveling exhibitions, retail space and a coffee shop. The permanent collection will specialize in Bainbridge and Northwest artists.
The museum has raised just over $11 million of its $15.3 million capital campaign goal. The money raised beyond construction costs will help pay for the museum's three-person staff and other operating costs.
The $2.3 million that museum supporters hope to raise in the coming months would boost the board's confidence before it green-lights the final construction phase.
"We just couldn't keep going with construction and sleep well at night," said Snow, who is expected to take over as board president this month.
Fundraising slowed after an initial flurry of dollars from local donors. The museum is searching for off-island funding from corporations, private foundations and government granting agencies before it begins a drive for smaller contributions from individuals and families.
"Initially, we worked with the founders and board members and the relationships they have in funding circles," said Greg Robinson, the museum's executive director. "Now, we're trying to go more broadly."
The museum's biggest success in the broader fundraising arena was obtaining a $502,000 grant from the state last year.
"That helps us leverage other funds," Robinson said. "It's kind of like a ... seal of approval."
A key to drawing dollars from large foundations and corporate donors is proving the museum has strong local support, Robinson said.
That's part of the reason the museum began offering its 60-person capacity classroom and auditorium to various cultural and nonprofit groups for free during the summer. The museum began charging fees for its facilities during the winter.
Kitsap Regional Library, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Bainbridge have used the auditorium for community gatherings. The newly formed Winslow Art Center makes regular use of the classroom for drawing and calligraphy classes.
The neighboring Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) has held a summer camp and musical theater performances in the museum's spaces.
"We've been very, very grateful to them," said Susan Sivitz, KiDiMu's executive director. "With the extra space, we were able to double the number of offerings during our summer camp."
The two museums plan to continue their close partnership.
"We're showing we have and deserve broad-based support," said Robinson, who led La Conner's Museum of Northwest Art for five years before joining the Bainbridge museum in late 2010.
Snow expects the art museum and Bainbridge public schools to form a relationship that could include regular student museum visits and art instruction.
He would like to see more groups make use of the auditorium, which has a theater-quality sound and video system.
"Off-island money (sources) will step forward if they know there's a positive momentum of support here," Snow said. "But I think we should be building support from people here on Bainbridge Island on principle because this is the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art."
While raising money hasn't been as easy as expected, Robinson said the work required in planning the building played a larger role in slowing the museum's progress.
"I think during the last year, the organization realized the complexity of the planning process, and how long it would take to (develop) the site," he said.
Adding to the complexity was the recent push to have the building reach gold-level certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The initial design, which incorporated recycled materials, stormwater collection and several other earth-friendly features, had aimed for a lower silver rating.
An added geothermal mechanical system provided much of the LEED ratings boost the museum wanted. The system, which was completed this month, will pull heat from the ground to warm the building, thereby reducing its dependence on the power grid.
For Robinson, building the museum has encompassed much more than the building itself.
The museum began planning construction and fundraising almost immediately after a group of island art lovers gathered around the art museum idea.
"We've been building a whole new organization, not just a building," he said.
"We were just not making enough (fundraising) progress for it to be responsible of us to move on to the second phase," said Chris Snow, a member of the museum's board, which took shape in 2009.
Last year, the nonprofit museum opened an office, classroom and 95-seat auditorium in an Island Gateway commercial building that will eventually connect with the museum's main exhibition building, which had its foundation completed early this month. The design for the finished building calls for a two-story wedge of steel and glass jutting toward the high-traffic Winslow Way-Highway 305 intersection.
Museum supporters say it will be a landmark building seen by nearly all who visit Winslow by ferry or travel in via the highway.
Totaling 20,000 square feet, the museum will have room for a permanent contemporary art collection, traveling exhibitions, retail space and a coffee shop. The permanent collection will specialize in Bainbridge and Northwest artists.
The museum has raised just over $11 million of its $15.3 million capital campaign goal. The money raised beyond construction costs will help pay for the museum's three-person staff and other operating costs.
The $2.3 million that museum supporters hope to raise in the coming months would boost the board's confidence before it green-lights the final construction phase.
"We just couldn't keep going with construction and sleep well at night," said Snow, who is expected to take over as board president this month.
Fundraising slowed after an initial flurry of dollars from local donors. The museum is searching for off-island funding from corporations, private foundations and government granting agencies before it begins a drive for smaller contributions from individuals and families.
"Initially, we worked with the founders and board members and the relationships they have in funding circles," said Greg Robinson, the museum's executive director. "Now, we're trying to go more broadly."
The museum's biggest success in the broader fundraising arena was obtaining a $502,000 grant from the state last year.
"That helps us leverage other funds," Robinson said. "It's kind of like a ... seal of approval."
A key to drawing dollars from large foundations and corporate donors is proving the museum has strong local support, Robinson said.
That's part of the reason the museum began offering its 60-person capacity classroom and auditorium to various cultural and nonprofit groups for free during the summer. The museum began charging fees for its facilities during the winter.
Kitsap Regional Library, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Bainbridge have used the auditorium for community gatherings. The newly formed Winslow Art Center makes regular use of the classroom for drawing and calligraphy classes.
The neighboring Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) has held a summer camp and musical theater performances in the museum's spaces.
"We've been very, very grateful to them," said Susan Sivitz, KiDiMu's executive director. "With the extra space, we were able to double the number of offerings during our summer camp."
The two museums plan to continue their close partnership.
"We're showing we have and deserve broad-based support," said Robinson, who led La Conner's Museum of Northwest Art for five years before joining the Bainbridge museum in late 2010.
Snow expects the art museum and Bainbridge public schools to form a relationship that could include regular student museum visits and art instruction.
He would like to see more groups make use of the auditorium, which has a theater-quality sound and video system.
"Off-island money (sources) will step forward if they know there's a positive momentum of support here," Snow said. "But I think we should be building support from people here on Bainbridge Island on principle because this is the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art."
While raising money hasn't been as easy as expected, Robinson said the work required in planning the building played a larger role in slowing the museum's progress.
"I think during the last year, the organization realized the complexity of the planning process, and how long it would take to (develop) the site," he said.
Adding to the complexity was the recent push to have the building reach gold-level certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The initial design, which incorporated recycled materials, stormwater collection and several other earth-friendly features, had aimed for a lower silver rating.
An added geothermal mechanical system provided much of the LEED ratings boost the museum wanted. The system, which was completed this month, will pull heat from the ground to warm the building, thereby reducing its dependence on the power grid.
For Robinson, building the museum has encompassed much more than the building itself.
The museum began planning construction and fundraising almost immediately after a group of island art lovers gathered around the art museum idea.
"We've been building a whole new organization, not just a building," he said.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
BI Review: Island Gateway - a 2011 community success
City news dominates 2011 headlines
By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
January 3, 2012 · Updated 4:36 PM
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
January 3, 2012 · Updated 4:36 PM
For most people, life on the island does not revolve around the City of Bainbridge.
If you live here and work in Seattle, for example, likely half of
your weekday’s waking hours are focused on a job and getting to and from
it.
If you rarely leave the island, the city may have a little more to do with your day, but likely not very much.
The city’s business, however, is much more of an emphasis for those
whose job focuses on letting community members know how public dollars
are being spent and the direction a municipality is traveling in terms
of representation.
With that in mind, one could say that the city – including its staff
and council – was up to its proverbial neck in a multitude of trials and
tribulations during 2011. Some of the headaches were hangovers from the
recent past, including: the fatal police shooting of Douglas Ostling;
the Bainbridge Ratepayers Alliance lawsuit and the fallout from it; the
effect of the Winslow Way reconstruction project on downtown businesses;
and dealing with several road emergencies, some of which occurred
because of a lack of city maintenance in recent years.
There also were many positives, including: the city reducing the
water rates by 45 percent at year’s end for its Winslow users; finishing
Winslow Way in late November; signing a 30-year lease with Friends of
the Farms; and many, many others – big and small.
The community also voted in four new council members, which could
mean that some changes lie ahead since the newly elected officials –
Anne Blair, Sarah Blossom, Steve Bonkowski and Dave Ward – campaigned on
change to one degree or another. They also promised while campaigning
to vet any proposed changes with the community. But that’s for next
year.
Positives
The city and the community had many successes, including:
• RePower Bainbridge, which was formed as a result of the city
writing three grants that were worth more than $5 million, swung into
action by conducting 1,500 free home energy check-ups during a six-month
period, with nearly 200 homeowners making energy-saving upgrades.
There’s also an added emphasis on having more businesses and nonprofits
joining the energy-efficiency movement on the island.
• Island Gateway, the new development at the corner of State Route
305 and Winslow Way, has concluded the back section of the project. Next
up: construction of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Artand a retail
building that will front the street. Avalara, a growing software company
that’s on the island, relocated its more than 100 employees and its
headquarters to Island Gateway...
click here to read more --->
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
