cara, Center for Art, Research and Alliances, New York
2022
The Center for Art, Research and Alliances (CARA) is a new arts nonprofit, research center and publisher which opened in Greenwich Village, New York in Autumn 2022. Founded by Jane Hait and directed by Manuela Moscoso, the organisation aims to expand public discourses on art, its dominant narratives and historic records.
Built in 1909 as a playing card factory, and once home to DFA Records, 6a designed the transformation of the original building into a series of flexible daylit spaces for public programming, research and exhibitions. The tall and narrow steel framed masonry building was a robust starting point for re-use. The central third of the building was demolished to introduce a new elevator and stairs creating universal public access, bringing people and artworks to each floor.
As 6a’s first project in the United States, the practice drew reference from the city itself, embracing the idiosyncrasies of New York’s geology, vernacular and stringent building code. New windows frame views into the city block and over Manhattan’s skyline while the city’s granite bedrock emerges in a pocket garden designed with Dan Pearson Studio and as seats and bollards within the building, some found and others newly placed.
A double height space faces the street framing the canopy of a honey locust tree growing on the sidewalk. Its leaves give dappled light to the art space and a large rooflight brings abundant daylight. To the rear, flexible rooms provide intimate spaces for art or conversation framed by the new garden or views into the back of the city block. At street level a bookstore will host public programmes with furniture designed by Studio Manuel Raeder and Rodolfo Samperio. The old freight elevator is replaced with an art hoist and hatch that connect the bookstore and gallery above, dropping light and sound through the building.
New York’s building culture is celebrated in a language of exposed services carefully arranged by each trade. Radiators, conduits, faucets and fire reels become characters within the spaces. The original concrete firebreak floors, scribed with a square grid, are restored and original pine floors uncovered on the top floor. At roof level a shiny galvanised canopy makes a shelter amongst elevator overruns and gallery services, giving CARA’s team quiet places amongst a landscape of New York rooftops.
Architects: 6a architects
Architect of Record: John Banks / 20X Architects
Project Manager: Paratus Group
Construction Manager: Eurostruct
Structural, Environmental and Lighting Engineer: Arup
Landscape designer: Dan Pearson Studio
Bookstore designer: Studio Manuel Raeder and Rodolfo Samperio
CARA Visual Identity and Wayfinding: The Rodina
Wayfinding: David Reinfurt
Artist Commission: Dexter Sinister