Client: Ford Foundation
Location: New York, NY, United States
Completion date: 2018
Project Team
Architect
Consultant - Branding & Graphics
Gensler
Industry Resource
Consultant - Lighting Designer
Fisher Marantz Stone
Industry Resource
Consultant - Lighting Designer
Levien & Company
Other
Craig Byers, Brand Design Director
Gensler
Other
Andrea Plenter, Brand Design Lead
Gensler
Other
Jocelyn Mastroianni, Brand Designer
Gensler
Other
Kevin Carlin, Brand Project Manager
Gensler
Other
Zamie Casazola, Brand Designer
Gensler
Other
Jose Troconis, Brand Designer
Gensler
Overview
A private not-for-profit organization established in 1936, the Ford Foundation partnered with Gensler for a mission-driven redesign of its landmarked Manhattan headquarters. The holistic renovation transforms the Foundation’s workplace and public spaces in a manifestation of its mission: to promote the inherent dignity of all people.
Completed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates in 1968, the Ford Foundation’s building was hailed as an architectural icon with its interior garden and atrium, 12 floors of sophisticated office space, and mid-century modern furniture collection.
Goals
The design team created a new art gallery and mission-driven art program throughout the building to highlight and engage an equitable experience for all who work and visit.
A new double-height gallery was created by removing a portion of the building’s second floor concrete slab. Working with the gallery director, the design team developed a space to feature rotating contemporary exhibitions reflecting the social and cultural issues of our times. The rotating art on display has been commissioned by Ford Foundation and focuses on artists who are engaged in the broader mission of the organization. Art allows the Foundation to engage a community around the globe who align on a dialogue around social justice.
The comprehensive art program includes site-specific installations and murals that reflect the Foundation’s values. Powerful imagery and text support the narrative in all workplace and convening areas. Gensler’s environmental graphics, signage, and wayfinding design leverage powerful imagery and text throughout. All art installations and murals within the building are visible to the community through the atrium and common areas.
Process
As part of the planning process, Gensler visited the studios of the artists creating site-specific murals including JR, Odili Donald Odita, Jess X. Snow, and Teresita Fernández. Drawings, building plans, and elevations were shared with the artists as they were creating their work for the Foundation. This allowed the art to be a deeply embedded design element which supports storytelling around social change. The power of art express the trials and tribulations of social challenges the world is facing today.