ECOVENTIONS

Cincinnati, Ohio | 2005

• I.D. Magazine Annual Design Review, Design Distinction Award, 2003

• Feature, 306090 - 05 - “Teaching + Building, Beyond the Imagined,” 2003

• Ecoventions - Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2002

Designers: Terry Boling and Marc Swackhamer

The project is for a 4,000 s.f. temporary gallery space located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The task of the designers was to create a framework for the anticipated activities of the exhibition, which showcased a variety of ecological interventions. Because the Contemporary Art Museum is a non-profit organization, the budget for this ambitious project was very limited. This led to a heightened sensitivity in regard to material and labor costs to fabricate the system. Much of the design involved combining high-tech and low-tech fabrication methods in order to reduce costs. The shaped vertical supports were fabricated using a computer-aided milling machine, while the supporting legs were made with standard 1/2" round emt conduit shaped with a hand-held conduit bender. Both designers are on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati's School of Architecture and Interior Design, allowing them access to volunteer fabrication and construction assistance from students. Combined with the Contemporary Art Center's staff, the team fabricated the entire structure in 3 days.