MyArts Metropolitan Arts Incubator

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR REHABILITATION, INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI

STRATA Architecture Inc. collaborated with Draw Architecture + Urban Design, LLC on the exterior and interior renovation of a 1940’s car dealership into an arts incubator for at-risk teenagers. MyArts mission is to provide a safe work/play space for youth to gather and explore their creativity while socializing and motivating each other. Our firm’s involvement included the following: detailed assessment of the existing building, production of as-built documentation, programming through design development and production of exterior rehabilitation documents for bidding and construction including: masonry, new window and storefront design, new exterior entry and stair, loading dock, historic entrance marquee lighting and fascia restoration, and new roof. The 13,000 sq.ft. interior rehabilitation transformed the large warehouse space into an open gallery with collaborative studio environments for ceramics, painting, screen printing, photography and graphic design. The former automobile showroom was repurposed with offices, meeting rooms and a retail/gallery space for the students to sell their artwork.