UMass Dartmouth - Art and Design Studios

Art and Design Studios

 

Flexible Artist Studios
This adaptive re-use project converts a former retail space for use as flexible artist studio facilities.  While the existing layout was not ideal much of the facilities were re-purposed and reconfigured to support the new use.  Existing retail shelving partitions were modified to provide exceptionally useful storage and display surfaces.  Lighting and overhead power were modified to provide flexible studio spaces customized to each art form.  


A wide range of visual arts and design disciplines are supported in the space including:

  • Ceramics
  • Mixed Media
  • Metal Working and Jewelry
  • Woodworking
  • Digital Design
  • Textiles
  • Print Making
  • Sculpture Arts

Services
The facility supports a wide range of art forms including forms.  All art forms require specified facilities to support their work.  Some art forms such as ceramics require particularly intensive support facilities.  Facilities at ADS include:

  • Gallery Space
  • Visitor Shop
  • Lounge
  • Materials storage for each art form
  • Secure tool storage
  • Dust collection and exhaust
  • Kiln Room
  • Glaze Mixing
  • Clay Mixing
  • Paint storage
  • Digital Design Computer Lab
  • Grad student studios
  • Shared core studios

Energy Efficiency
Uses within the space require services which are commonly considered energy intensive.  Spaces which require exhaust, or ventilation for heat generation or other reasons are isolated reducing the HVAC load overall.  Certain spaces which do not require intensive cooling or heating were also isolated and balanced with respective heat generating items to minimize effect on HVAC design.