Flint Institute of Arts

Our transformative expansion of the Flint Institute of Arts unites old and new and creates strong community connections.

The institute, a thriving cultural center in a small city, is among the country’s largest museum schools. It provides both higher and public education, bringing equity to a highly diverse segment of the community, including local youth. Our design honors the institute’s mission, history and community commitment while extending its scope.
An iconic glass loggia opens the museum to the community, bring in light and acting as a lantern at night. The loggia contains the museum lobby, café and store and glows at night, casting warm light over the activities playing out inside and welcoming in passersby.
The wide hallways and entryways resemble neighborhood streets, creating a town-square ethos and drawing visitors easily through the lobby, auditorium and galleries.
In the art school’s interior courtyard, a new maker space includes glass furnaces, a metal foundry and retractable stadium-style seating, making it ideal for live demonstrations and interactive workshops.
Like the institute’s programming, our design privileges functional accessibility and celebrates inclusivity.