Nashville headquartered developer SomeraRoad, is approaching the final stages of its 16-story mixed-use office/residential tower, Prima at Paseo South Gulch. The tower which now has its place prominently along the Nashville skyline will look to make a similar impression along the streetscape. The developer partnered with Oakland-based artist Thom Faulders of Faulders Studio and Nashville-based metal fabricator John W McDougall (McDougall), to create a unique parking screen which will serve as both artistic placemaking and monument way-finding for the upcoming mixed-use district. The project is located at 620 8th Avenue South.
“Creating cultural offerings for the neighborhood that stimulate creativity and cultivate community is a priority for our team. The installation of this fantastic public artwork kicks off the next phase of Prima and Paseo South Gulch as we anticipate welcoming the neighborhood’s first residential tenants in early 2024. This unique piece will serve as a memorable backdrop for the project, one that encourages curiosity and a sense of discovery throughout the micro-neighborhood.”
Martin Stroble, VP Head Of Construction
The art screen is located on the North and South facades of the parking structure. The artist intended for the magnitude of the façade’s overall pattern to be commensurate with the large-scale presence of the adjacent towers; yet retains a geometric finesse that is visually experienced at sidewalk level.
The artist started with a series of porous rings then used an algorithm to calculate the number and size of the perforations. These calculations were then further refined to provide required ventilation for the parking structure as well as adhere to fire code requirements. The design was fabricated using machine-punched and laser cut perforated panels.
“When I first saw the design, the first thing I could think of is wow that’s awesome. Given the number of panels that had over 55% open area and the timeline to get it done, we knew from experience this was going to be a challenge. However, we also knew it was something that our proactive team would overcome.
Chris Ball, VP of Operations
SomeraRoad engaged the artist first quarter of 2023 and tasked the project team to have it designed, fabricated, and installed by the end of the year. The artist began with multiple narratives that influenced the concentric design. The design development phase landed on an abstract interpretation of outwardly expanding contours, loosely inspired by the local landform context of Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood, a topographic depression that spills southward from the Cumberland River. Prima, the first of 4 planned towers at Paseo South Gulch Tower, is situated directly at the apex of this landform. These oscillating rings of perforations create an overall 3-dimensional effect upon the otherwise flat façade. CityNowNext met with the artist to get a first understating of the art installation,
“Located at the urban center of this collection of buildings, the art screen exists as a visual beacon and quite literally, demarcates the centroidal point of the overall development site.
The presence of the façade’s overall pattern is commensurate with the adjacent tower buildings, yet retains a geometric finesse that is visually mesmerizing from sidewalk level. The pattern’s branching intricacies come to life when seen along the compressed Fogg Street and Paseo walkway, while the overall figuration retains a bold neighborhood presence when seen from adjacent tower living units and off-site views.”
Thom Faulders, Principal/Architect
The dynamic design also offers a completely different experience once inside the garage as seen in the rendering above. Additionally, the artist also noted that the design of the smaller North façade towards Fogg Street is a direct geometric projection through the building of the larger South façade towards downtown as if you were to travel through it. The artist has also completed similar façade projects in Miami, Oakland, and Tokyo.
Paseo South Gulch is a multi-tower mixed use district characterized by its interconnected retail paseos. The development includes a mix of adaptive-reuse and new construction including 3 additional upcoming towers. The retail paseos include a mix of pedestrian centric pocket parks and gathering spaces. Fogg Street serves as a major multimodal access point for the development. SomeraRoad believed this would create a better placemaking element vs. a traditional garage screen. The aluminum screen will also be illuminated at night providing an entirely new experience once the development is complete.
Prima at Paseo South Gulch anticipates completion in the 1st quarter of 2024. For more information check out their website using the link (here).
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