Tarlton completed this 2-story concrete museum in St. Louis’ Grand Center theater district. The structure, constructed of cast-in-place architectural concrete with a light water-blast finish, has an open design with a striking west wall. The entrance and lobby feature a concrete cantilever wall above, extending about two-thirds the length of the building.
In addition to the gallery and exhibition space, the main level houses a café, bookshop, courtyard and space for media, performances and lectures. The second level includes three classrooms, a resource center and administrative offices.
Adjacent to the Contemporary is Tado Ando’s building for the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The two buildings share a 2,000 sf courtyard featuring a monumental torqued spiral steel sculpture by Richard Serra titled “Joe.”
