American Center for Palestinian & Israeli Art

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This project was for my first graduate studio in which we tackled the issue of how architecture create a platform for two groups of people that do not get along; can come together and share there similarities. To achieve this goal I decided to create a art center that focused around the idea of bringing in young Palestinian and Israeli artists to create art the represented their culture. The center will give them a place to create art focused around a message of peace in a place free of violence. Centered in Washington D.C., located just off of the mall behind the Air & Space Museum, The American Center for Palestinian & Israeli Art is designed to draw people walking along the Independence Mall. The center itself is made of two buildings above ground and connected by a historic gallery underground. Facing the Air & Space Museum is the community center that holds the cafeteria's, gift stores, libraries, and roof garden while the art gallery building faces the Native American Indian Museum. The galleries are layer by art discipline and not by country. This is done intentionally so that viewers will begin to see both cultures as one and can start to make positive connections through art.