hanrahan Meyers architects came to public attention in 1987 when the firm designed the winning entry for a new Nature Interpretive Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since then, hMa has designed several award-winning buildings, and the firm also has forged a strong connection with the arts, collaborating with several artists on public sculpture projects.
In 2007 hMa’s Pratt Pavilion, a sculptural art gallery in the center of Pratt Institute’s main campus opened to international acclaim and attention. The gallery reflected hMa’s firm commitment to working with arts groups, and the final building includes a twenty foot tall public gallery with state-of-the art facilities for show-casing the work of several international designers in various arts who are graduates of Pratt Institute’s many arts programs. Since it’s opening, Pratt Gallery by hMa has showcased the work of internationally famous industrial designers, graphic designers, fashion designers, as well as the aspiring work of Pratt students and faculty.
exterior view, Pratt Pavilion, featuring hand-rubbed stainless steel panels from Milgo Bufkin
left: entrance to hMa's Pratt Pavilion Gallery and Design Center; right: view of hMa's Pratt Gallery on opening day. Click here to view all photos of Pratt Pavilion at hanrahanMeyers.com
An important aspect of hMa’s work on Pratt Pavilion includes their ability to work creatively with local artisans and suppliers of specialty finishes to achieve fantastic results within a limited budget. When Pratt Pavilion’s exterior façade finish was in question due to budgetary constraints, hMa contacted Board member Bruce Gitlin and his company, Milgo Bufkin, to arrange a collaboration to produce the exterior cladding for the building. The resulting panels, hand-rubbed stainless steel panels, are a major factor in the success of the final project.
Jane Philbrick is among the artists who hMa has worked with on past projects, including an installation for Socrates Sculpture Park, Vox Harbour. In addition to working with Ms. Philbrick on Vox Harbour, hMa also produced a Master Plan for Socrates Sculpture Park in 2000. Pictured above: Jane Philbrick's work in progress, "Rammed Earth Sculpture Garden", at the Skissernas Museum, Lund, Sweden.
