A block redesign and art gallery– the brief specified an interest in retaining aspects of an existing building. Using Barcelona’s Eixample district as a precedent, the design creates a diagonal thoroughfare from one end of the block to the other. Visual connectivity between various program elements became an important part of the design across various levels (ground floor, second floor, skyway, etc.). The design optimizes the location of programs within the block. For instance, the gym, and waste facility are along the highway where noise is less of a concern for these programs. The bar and child care center are in the center of the block, where vehicles don’t access unless there is an emergency. This makes it safer as driving under the influence becomes less of a concern, and children don’t play near moving vehicles. The convenience store is just downstairs from the apartments, as there aren’t many options for late night stores for residents of the area.

Particular emphasis was put into the exterior design of the art gallery & spiritual space building. The perforations in the facade are a morse code translation of the University of Idaho Fight Song (first line).

The title of the block, “A Conversation of the Arts” is in part because Moscow is called “The heart of the arts”, but also because of the effort to produce an urban architecture of contrast, the very thing that gives art meaning. Contrast is best made apparent through the proximity of things to one another. For instance, one program to another.