Omi Masterplan
Planning for expanded programming for the Omi International Arts Center into 400 acres of land required a comprehensive analysis of the Center’s current needs and future ambitions. Omi hosts international artists’ residencies, a rapidly expending sculpture park, a burgeoning education program, in addition the many public events.
The environmental conditions — including active farmland, delicate wetlands, and undeveloped fields and forests — had to be addressed as well. This required extensive mapping of topography, hydrology, soil types, access, circulation, etc. Building sites with generic massing were identified, a hierarchy of circulation paths was implemented, new programs and a host of public opportunities were suggested.
The plan envisioned and then realized a new program, Architecture Omi, conceived to present architectural installations in an area separate from but conceptually related to the sculpture park. Through Architecture Omi, architects are offered the freedom to untether their work from conceived constraints of rigid function and client-driven directives. This unique resource has hosted has hosted works by Steven Holl, Daniel Liebeskind, and Vito Acconci, as well as provided a design studio of Cooper Union students to construct installations and a venue for many other younger, more energetic firms.
The vision brought forth in the Masterplan for the Omi International Arts Center envisioned a true synthesis of natural and synthetic elements, a profound and sensitive coexistence of art and architecture in a diverse landscape.