After an open competition, M20, along with three other architecture
firms, was selected to move on to the second stage of the Re:Design
competition by the City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs. The
brief called for the redesign of the current lobby at 72 Marietta St
(the previous AJC headquarters building) into a contemporary art gallery
to be run by the Office of Cultural Affairs.
M20's scheme focused on two simple themes:
First the design must be both a municipal lobby AND contemporary
gallery. The layout maintains the functional sight lines needed for a
secure lobby while reinventing the aesthetics of the current space to
showcase art.
Second, the flexibility of the design is crucial. Therefore
well-proportioned open spaces that work with the existing architecture
and focus on presenting amazing art were the priority. The inherent
simplicity of this creates maximum flexibility.