Museum for Student Work

Ithaca, New York, United States

Award(s): First Place, The Edward Palmer York Memorial Prize, Cornell University

This week-long competition asked for a design which would create a museum and library for past thesis projects on the northern side of Sibley Dome on Cornell's campus. A bulge of brick is formed by inscribing a second circle mirroring the arch of the dome such that the midpoint of the line of intersection occurs halfway between the original dome’s ceiling and the floor of the gallery space. This bulge from the facade subtly suggests a change of program from the exterior of the building, and creates a complementary space within, where equal importance is given when compared to the imposing presence of the original dome. This new space allows for the construction of book stacks and balconies for the display of student work and is accessed via preexisting stairs.