Landmark art gallery opens in Johannesburg
Located in Johannesburg, Circa on Jellicoe is a new multimedia art gallery designed by South African practice, studioMAS. The design team developed the elliptical form to cope with the constraints of a narrow site and the prospect of creating a landmark. Its main feature is an aluminium fin facade that allows views into and out of the building.
Circa comprises of three levels with the public ground floor consisting of 106 sq m of craft exhibition space. Beyond this, users traverse a perimeter ramp that connects ground and first floor exhibition spaces. This 177 sq m double volume multi-purpose exhibition space has 7 moveable display screens that can drop through the floor into the ground level below, when unused. The top floor consists of a 105 sq m private lounge and deck overlooking Johannesburg’s urban forest.
The main structure is cast in situ concrete; the cantilevering perimeter ramp and staircase are also concrete. The façade cladding consists of anodized aluminium fins which are attached to the concrete by steel angles and bracing. Dry-walling has been used inside the main gallery to conceal services behind. Glass has been used extensively on the ground floor to close off access into the building after hours and yet maintain views.
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