Title: Framing a View: Cayce Civic Art Center
Location of Proejct: Cayce, South Carolina
Project Completion Date: April 25, 2022
Firm Name:

Short Description: Using a radial system to divide programs, circulation and individual spaces, the Cayce Civic Art Center focuses on creating a central focal point for people to circulate and experience what Cayce has to offer. The division of spaces creates views in every direction to frame and reflect its surroundings. This building connects several aspects of Cayce to bring in people from every direction to become unified in a single location.

Architect's Statement: The Cayce Civic Art Center sits on the end of state street, beside the Martin Marietta quarry. The 30,000 SF Civic Art Center is intended to capture and unite every social aspect of its city into one central point. From its flourishing artistic operations to its scenic Riverwalk experience, this collective environment will unite the people and visitors of Cayce to experience what it has to offer. The building follows a radial design reflecting the excavated surface of the quarry. Following the radial system, each section of the building captures a certain aspect of its site.

Site: The building sits on 6.7 acres, between two railroad tracks that aids the quarry in its transportation of materials. Facing south is the Martin Marietta quarry. During the end of the quarry’s lifespan, it is projected that the excavated grounds would then be transformed into a recreational public space with the deactivation of its railroad tracks. West of the site is State Street which has been actively expanding its city with vibrant murals and sculptures, influencing its art. On the east end of the site is the Congaree River with public access to its Riverwalk and trails stretching for miles unveiling the history of Cayce.

Masterplan: For the master plan, the goal was to link every communal experience that was already developed and expand it a bit further. The bike trails and Riverwalk would then be extended and connected to the newly developed Cayce Civic Art Center allowing for easier public access. The newly developed art center would also be accompanied by other public spaces such as an amphitheater, grounds for bonfires, and a field for planned events.

Form and Organization: When initially building a relation to the site, the idea to follow a radial system was presented to mirror and recognize the excavated grounds. The radial system was set in place to divide certain programs and to allow the building to frame its remarkable surroundings. The final design is that of a half circle, proportioned to face certain aspects of the city according to the use of each space. The main attractions of the building are the black box theater and the Art Museum which are placed on both ends of the building, allowing for easy parking access. The black box theater faces the west end of the site with a direct view to Cayce’s artistic State Street. The museum on the east end faces the peaceful landscape of the Congaree River. The museum is composed of two levels that are connected by a radial staircase that is centered at the central point of the Cayce Civic Art Center. At the center of the building are the more commercial programs of the art center such as a café, art store, and studio classes for the theater. In the middle portion of the building are the more reserved programs such as art studios, classrooms, and administrative spaces with a direct frame to the redeveloped quarry.