Services
- Architecture
Details
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
- Client
- Columbus College of Art & Design
Project
When CCAD sought to create a new studio facility, the college envisioned the character of historic industrial buildings but recognized the need for a contemporary solution. The result was the 58,000sf Loann Crane Center for Design, a purpose-built structure that delivers openness, durability, and economy without replicating 19th-century aesthetics.
The building employs precast insulated concrete panels for both structure and finish, allowing for flexibility in design and construction. This approach provided the opportunity to reinterpret the regular window grids of historic precedents as a more abstract composition of light and openings. The result is a façade that is both economical and expressive.
Inside, the Crane Center features large double-height studios, an east wall dedicated to mechanical systems for efficiency, and an expansive truss-supported entry space. Tiered seating integrated into the upper levels provides a gathering place for presentations and informal events, reinforcing the building’s role as both a workspace and a hub for campus life.
Project Gallery