(Park City, UT) — In a unanimous decision this week, Kimball Art Center’s governing board voted to hire the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to design its space in the City’s new arts and culture district.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with both the City and BIG on this project,” noted Jory Macomber, Kimball Art Center’s executive director. “After committing to becoming an anchor tenant in the future arts and culture district, we needed to select an architect that would help us design our new building while staying true to our mission — to inspire and connect through art.”
BIG was the firm originally chosen to redesign the Kimball’s Main Street building in 2011. Ultimately, the historical building codes specific to Main Street proved too cumbersome for Kimball’s creative vision.
“Main Street is a historical district,” Jory explained. “But where we are now, which is the location of the future arts and culture district, isn’t. So the codes and requirements for building in the district will allow for more creativity.”
Jory added there are a number of reasons Kimball Art Center’s board selected BIG for a second time, including:
BIG has a long history with the Kimball and deep understanding of Kimball’s current and future programming needs.
BIG has a proven capability to design statement buildings that become a recognizable attraction and destination, which will assist in fundraising for the project and ensure a sustainable financial future for the Kimball.
Despite its rapid rise and international acclaim, BIG has a soft spot for Park City and the Kimball and has a strong desire to finish what it started.
While there are a number of moving parts, Kimball Art Center’s board hopes the new building in the arts and culture district will be open in the Fall of 2022.
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