Dia:Beacon is the conversion of a 292,000 square-foot Nabisco box-factory, situated along the Hudson River in Beacon, New York, into a museum that houses the Dia Art Foundation’s renowned collection of contemporary art. The museum opened in May 2003 and is located adjacent to the river in Beacon - about 75 minutes north of Manhattan by train.
The design and construction of the project spanned four years and necessitated the transformation of all interior and exterior building systems to accommodate the new arts program. Multiple building typologies and extensive skylight systems reinforce the original 1929 structure’s substantial industrial character with a range of light and spatial conditions. The museum’s exhibition programs inhabit the building’s vast, diverse spaces with large-scale installation that environmentally underpin the work. Support programs include a bookstore, café, educational-media facilities, offices, and gardens.
Through design process of open exchange, OpenOffice worked closely with artist Robert Irwin, with the curators and administration the Dia Art Foundation, who sought the input of the artists of the collection including Richard Serra, Michael Heizer, Walter de Maria, Fred Sandback, Sol Lewitt, and Gerhard Richter among others. Our primary collaborator, Irwin, was instrumental in devising the entrance to the new museum and in conceiving and developing the museum’s exterior surrounds.
Using digital/physical models and mock-ups, we optimized the subtle relationships between the new gallery walls and floor levels, artwork, and structure and selected new window and skylight glass, light reflective roofing, and incorporated new mechanical systems. Our primary mission was to maximize the spatial strength of sculpture, painting, landscape and architecture, by optimizing natural light and by minimizing the use of material resources. The restrained architecture of Dia:Beacon suggests a new paradigm for museum design and industrial reuse - one in which an open, interdisciplinary design approach can yield spaces and experiences that firmly embrace the artworks and visitors without overwhelming either.
Material Used :
1. Belden – Exterior Brick - Endicott
2. Unilock – Exterior Paver – Turfstone Pavers
3. L.M.Scofield Company – Concreate Sealant –Cementone Sealer
4. Sika Sarnafil – Roofing Membrane – Sarnafil Roof
5. Crittal – Windows, Doors & Skylights – Steel Windows
6. Hafele – Cabinet Hardware
7. Benjamin Moore – Paints & Stains
8. Forbo – Tackable Surface – Bulletin Board
9. Daltile – Floor & Wall Tiles – 2x2 Tile
10. Bega – Exterior Lighting
11. Zumtobel – Interior Lighting
12. Lightolier – Interior Lighting
13. Otis – Elevators – Hydraulic Passenger Elevators
14. American Standard – Plumbing Fixtures
15. Crane – Plumbing Fixtures
16. Haws – Water Fountains – Stainless Steel Water Fountains
