What should a sculpture studio look like?

[iowasculptor]

I have been asked to come up with plans for a new sculpture studio. They want to build it for around $20-25,000. We have labor for free on campus through facilities. It needs to house metal fabrication space, a glass studio, an enclosed sculpture "yard", there are gas lines already close just need to be rerouted, electric needs to be run. I would like to have an overhead crane, and a nice overhang to work under or store stuff under. I also would like easy loading and unloading, there are sidewalks close that we drive on already. And most importantly we need space to work. I need it to provide workspace and storage for about 15-30 students, only 15/class but we may run two classes in the future. Also we need a foundry installed outside under a roof structure. I am thinking a concrete floor and metal structure and walls, but not your typical pole barn if we can help it. If you have any pics or other that would help I would appreciate it.
thanks
Matt

[dondougan]

Hi Matt,

Every studio is different, but Oliver Andrews in "Living Materials: A
Sculptors Handbook" 1983 gives a good general layout for you.
I did something similar for my school when they were trying to put in a 'intro' sculpture studio, and his design format was extremely helpful in figuring out what I would need for the areas we could encompass. I used his basic suggestions, but added and removed things to suit our specific needs. Department chair was enthusiastic with the proposal, but unfortunately the higher powers that be decided the money would be better spent elsewhere (new nursing department facilities, I believe), so we are still on the 'to do' list.

Don

www.dondougan.com

[ahirschman]

And, don't forget to build in your exhaust systems so you can have nice clean air. Maybe an open front spray booth, depending on what you will be doing, but if you will be painting, etc. It would be a wise thing to add from the start.

Ari.

[Merlion]

I am just brain storming. Aim for flexibility. Instead of an enclosed space, perhaps an L shape building with open air working space inside the L.

One side of the L is a tall workshop building with crane. The other side of the L has lower ceiling height. Both are connected. Interior partitions are not permanent.

[StevenW]

Well my dream studio is an abandoned Titan Missile base with 40 thousand sq ft. of floor space and a 30 ton lift, turbine generators and a dust free wet shop. Price, 2 million bucks just to open the blast doors. Short of that, I'd settle for a 20 ft. tall box with an I-beam and a recessed floor. Nice industrial hoods, drains, sinks, counters are a must.

Someday...

[evaldart]

I'd say to make up a wish list with the price tags next to the item. It will let you prioritize. All the stuff you named won't make a 25,000 budget so you'l have to tighten your belt, sharpen your pencil and choose a direction for this studio improvement.
Remember that because its a University there won't be any "handyman" plumbing or electrical allowed. And that can get real expensive real quick. Focus on machinery and equipment that does not require permanent installation and a nice concrete pad "sculpture patio" with a rolling gantry (which is very easy to make, I made one with my students once as a class project). Nix the glass studio - gonna soak you in so many ways - a special project of its own later maybe.
Its like a trip to the candy store, have some fun with it and don't be afraid to think of yourself and your own work. Its one of the perks of your job. :D

[Daniel]

I know that I'm out here in crazy California, where many laws are stricter than in the rest of the US, but you might want to keep environmental regulations in the back of your mind when setting up the studio. Back at Cal State Long Beach we had a great outdoor foundry yard with a giant underground kiln for burning out investment molds. The year before I graduated, the EPA received some complaints from the neighbors about fumes (from the wax burnouts) and came by to inspect the place. Shortly thereafter, the sculpture department could no longer burn out wax for investment casting. We had to switch to only small ceramic shell molds that would fit into a drum-size electric kiln that had a wax collector at the base. This was a real bummer after having had the ability to cast just about any size piece you wanted to make.

[sculptor]

25K
might buy a slab and a used quonset hut or insulated pole barn
with a requisite mother of an exhaust fan/dust collector--
then go for lightweight interior partitions

skylights and sliding insulated "barn doors" facing south & a second layer of polycarbonate doors to let in winter light and heat and keep out the cold cold cold dakota winters

university has a heating plant you can tap?

sinks toilets emergency shower
......
25K ? maybe you can get some materials donated?
really
good luck
(you'll need it)

rod
p.s.
it's one thing for you to drive on a sidewalk
quite another for delivery trucks and construction machinery