University of West Georgia Studio Arts Building
Inspiring artists with considered space
The Board of Regents and the University of West Georgia hired Houser Walker Architecture to design a new 25,000 SF facility to house West Georgia‘s sculpture, ceramics and printmaking programs. The building accommodates the Foundry, metal fabricating, wax working, mold making, wood, silk screening, letter press, and kiln studios. Overall, the building is organized to bring soft, north light into each of the primary studios.
Houser Walker Architecture began by modeling the project scope, budget, and quality options. The facility was delivered on a very tight budget while providing state of the art equipment and safety provisions, including a specialized filtration system to remove ceramic particulates from the air, a craneway system, and a flexible overhead electrical system — all to create an efficient, health-conscious, and inspirational space for artists to create their masterpieces.
Client
University of West Georgia
Location
Carrollton, GA
Status
Completed
Size
25,000 SF
Project Team
Hank Houser, David Esterline, John Cearley
Collaborators
Minick Engineering, Sykes Consulting,
Long Engineering, Palacio Collaborative
Tags
Academic, Arts
“The building exceeds every expectation I had. It is amazing what the Houser Walker Architecture team has accomplished with so little money. We now have one of the best university art buildings in the southeast.”
– Kevin Shunn, Director of UWG Arts Department
The new critique and gallery space at the entry features a wall made from bricks fired in the school’s kilns — a creative and collaborative effort of UWG students and faculty.