Client: Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Overview

Designed by Wilson Butler Architects (WBA), the 11,555 s.f. Huizenga Pavilion is a new addition to the Broward Center campus. The Pavilion features upscale, open air dining at Marti’s Riverside Bistro on the first level. The Porter Riverview Ballroom on the second level offers elegant event space and is a sought-after destination for community gatherings. Featured in the ballroom is a sculptural art piece designed by Lynnel Art to Form. Suspended below the skylight, this piece transforms the space from day to night. WBA, Lynnel and the client worked together to create an artful guest experience with elegant photogenic surroundings.

Goals

The goal for integrating commissioned artwork into the Huizenga Pavilion was to create a distinctive feature piece that was custom to the project. While the overall design goal for the Porter Riverview Ballroom was to create a clean, neutral venue that provides a backdrop for community meetings and special events, the design team decided to add a unique art piece to this particular space. This artwork is an integral part of the ballroom’s design. It is a focal point within the space that creates exciting movement and emotion, drawing from the colors and textures of the tropical waters and surrounding lush landscape. The piece plays with the natural light during the day and glows with light in the evening. The art does not compete with its surroundings. It serves as a connection between indoors and out.

Process

Collaboration is at the heart of the artistic process for Lynnel Art and Form. For the Broward Center project, pairing artists and architects provided many possibilities to realize original artwork in unique ways, driven by client needs. Lynnel modifies imagery to enhance an architectural setting; a color change, a new shape to fit a location, or unique placement of the artwork makes an installation feel purposeful. The process for designing art as a team allowed the development of original ideas and applications to evolve that were never done before.

It has been proven that joining artists and designers from varying disciplines inspires great work. Every design team member on the Broward project shared the belief that good collaboration generates outcomes that effectively meet a client’s design requirements. WBA’s desire to work alongside an artist to envision a significant art installation was exactly the formula needed for a successful outcome. Our client agreed: art transforms space. Our mutual understanding and appreciation of this idea made our work as a team more meaningful. Also, equally important, it was desired that the artist’s creative expression and the architect’s execution of the art enhance the experience of those who live with the installation.