Seattle-based Hutchison & Maul Architecture has designed an addition, dubbed the Artisan Barn, to a historic barn in Uniontown, Washington. The existing space currently houses studio, performance and gallery areas for artists, along with a gift shop. Materials will be salvaged from an onsite Loafing Shed to create a new classroom onto the existing barn structure. Additionally, Hutchison & Maul will assist in designing a master plan that will integrate landscape and outdoor performance spaces into the surrounding area.
Continue after the break for the architects’ description.
The Artisan Barn is operated by a non-profit organization located in the Palouse landscape of eastern Washington. The facility, which occupies the historic Dahmen Barn located on the northern edge of the small town of Uniontown, includes studio spaces for artists, a gift shop for the sale of art pieces created by the artisans, workshop space for children and adults, and indoor and outdoor gallery & performance spaces for local artists. Hutchison & Maul Architecture began working with the organization in 2010 to assess future needs for the facility. Several schematic designs were explored which proposed a new classroom/studio building addition connected to the existing barn structure; one of the schemes is shown here.
The designs for the new addition take inspiration from the many agricultural outbuildings found throughout the Palouse landscape. Exterior materials include galvanized metal siding and wood siding that was salvaged from an existing Loafing Shed onsite. The location of the building takes into consideration the iconic ‘Wheel Fence’ for which the facility is known for throughout the region.
The project was recently awarded an “Our Town” grant by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Uniontown Community Development Association and the Town of Uniontown, along with three additional community partners, will use the “Our Town” grant to continue working with Hutchison & Maul Architecture to develop a master plan for the Dahmen Barn site.
Design work will include an amphitheater for outdoor performances, spaces for public art, and accessory buildings for classroom and studio spaces. Project activities will also include community meetings to inform the design, and the commissioning of public art for the site. The finished project will provide a new outdoor arts venue for Uniontown and the Palouse region.
Architect: Hutchison & Maul Architecture Location: Uniontown, Washington Project Team: Robert Hutchison & Tom Maul, Dong Nguyen-Dinh, Hana Schooley Client: Uniontown Community Development Association, Artisans at the Dahmen Barn Project Year: 2013-2014