BAMPFA arts complex by diller scofidio + renfro opens in california

BAMPFA arts complex by diller scofidio + renfro opens in california
image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

a new cultural complex designed by diller scofidio + renfro has opened in california. the berkeley art museum and pacific film archive, known as BAMPFA, hosts major exhibition and film screenings, and provides public access to the organization’s various collections.

the project integrates an existing art deco–style printing plant with an entirely new 35,000 square foot structure. the building totals 83,000 square feet, including 25,000 square feet of gallery space. the remainder of the program includes two film theaters — with 232 seats and 33 seats respectively — a performance forum, four study centers for art and film, a reading room, an art-making lab, a café, and an outdoor LED screen and viewing plaza.

the project integrates an existing art deco–style printing plant with an entirely new structure
image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

the scheme anchors berkeley’s downtown arts district, presenting over four hundred film screenings and up to twenty art exhibitions annually — as well as an extensive schedule of public programs and performances. versatile exhibition galleries accommodate a diverse range of artwork. the primary film theater is equipped with state-of-the-art projection for all popular formats.

the institution provides public access to the various art and film collections
image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

‘the new home for BAMPFA will leverage its location between downtown berkeley and the UC campus by providing unprecedented visual and physical access to its programs for both visitors and casual passersby,’ states charles renfro, partner at DS+R. ‘BAMPFA will become a new social and cultural hub for the entire region.’

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

‘the design merges the old and new to create a permeable interface between the institution and the public,’ renfro continues. ‘the supple body of the new structure, draped between the original 1930s orthogonal buildings and snagged on their sharp corners, creates a dramatic public spine that begins as a cantilevered cafe marking the building’s entrance, and culminates in an indoor theater on the other end of the site. the sculptural form of the theater volume reinterprets the 1930s art deco–style of the press building in a contemporary language of ruled surfaces and precision-formed stainless steel.’

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

in 1997, a seismic survey determined that BAMPFA’s former building, designed by architect mario ciampi, did not comply with modern-day earthquake safety standards. after a thorough investigation into potential options, UC Berkeley and BAMPFA embarked on a campaign to create a new facility that would unite BAMPFA’s art and film programming under one roof. the $112 million USD project has been funded through both a philanthropic capital campaign and private sources.

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

‘the new BAMPFA will be the architectural and cultural centerpiece of downtown berkeley,’ commented BAMPFA director lawrence rinder. ‘combining serene spaces for viewing film and art with dynamic public areas, the building will inspire audiences for generations with its fresh, imaginative design and versatility.’

the berkeley art museum and pacific film archive opened to the public on january 31, 2016. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

main corridor, looking south toward the public entrance on center street
image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

interior view of the special event space, with the underside of the theater volume
image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA

image by iwan baan / courtesy of diller scofidio + renfro, EHDD, and BAMPFA