Located in Raleigh, N.C.’s Depot District, the new Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) is the result of reimagining—and adaptively reusing—an existing 21,000-square-foot historic railway building. Designed by Los Angeles–based Brooks + Scarpa, the project also called for a new 900-square-foot entry, which is marked by a perforated Galvalume roof canopy. This roof structure, with its angular form and pebble-like pattern, not only brings a new design aesthetic to the area, but also provides a sunshading for the entrance to the museum. Metal was also used throughout the project in the form of structural steel in the existing historic building and as a finishing detail in the soffit cladding, flashings, railings, and reception desk.
Jury Quotes
“I thought it was beautiful. I liked everything about it. They’re just terrific designers. I thought it was terrific how they developed the pattern, and their thinking behind it was really nice.” —Sylvia Botero
“I think it’s really creative, very unique.” —Scott Kriner
“With a simple gesture, it breathes new life into an old, abandoned warehouse, and I think that’s really fantastic. It’s a real jewel-box transformation of a building that would otherwise go unnoticed. And I think it’s commendable not only for the rigor of its execution and the clarity of its vision as a design object, but I think it’s equally important how this really does become a way to rethink existing buildings.” —Andre Kikoski
Project Credits
Project Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.
Client Contemporary Art Museum
Architect Brooks + Scarpa, Los Angeles (design architect)/ ClearScapes, Raleigh, N.C. (architect of record)—Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, Steve Schuster, FAIA, Mark Buckland, Jon Zellweger, AIA (project architects); Angela Brooks, AIA, Brad Buter, Silke Clemens, Daniel Carper, Jordon Gearhart, Ching Luk, Matthew Majack, Sarah Dickerson, Brandy Thompson, AIA, Fred Belledin, AIA, Christian Karkow, John Reese, AIA, Thomas Sayre, Michael Dosier, Jedidiah Gant (project team)
Structural Engineer Lysaght & Associates
M/E/P Engineer The Wooten Co.
Contractor CT Wilson
Size 22,300 square feet (total); 900 square feet (new entry lobby)
Project Cost $5.8 million
Metal Product
Siding and Screening Accurate Perforating (Galvalume) accurateperforating.com