Contemporary Arts Center
Cincinnati Art Museum
Cathedral Basilica
Uptown Arts
Carnegie Arts Center
Uptown Arts
Transforming an abandoned factory into an arts school
Location:
Cincinnati, OH
Client:
Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation
Cost:
N/A
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Scope:
In mere months, KZF transformed a 19th-century cigar box factory into an arts school. The 13,000 square-foot renovation earned three awards: Design Award, AIA, Cincinnati Chapter; Honor Award, AIA Ohio Chapter and a Cincinnati Preservation Award.
Project description:
Lois and Richard Rosenthal conceived Uptown Arts to create learning opportunities for young children whose families can’t afford lessons in the arts.
They hired KZF to transform an abandoned, three-story, 19th-century cigar box factory into a space that transforms the lives of children. Some of Cincinnati's best artists give free lessons – from visual arts to dance – to 300 neighborhood children.
From the project’s inception, KZF worked with Cincinnati's Historic Conservation Board to ensure we met specific guidelines, which exist to encourage designers to develop a modern language for new additions, while preserving the historic nature of the buildings.
This project’s greatest challenge was not the building’s condition or its historical significance, but its aggressive timeline. The commitment and team work of all parties involved was crucial to our successful completion – just 15 months from our first meeting.
The former Geise Cigar Box factory is now Uptown Arts, housing the new arts programs and the offices of the Rosenthal Foundation.
"We couldn't be more pleased. And when we have another project requiring innovative architectural and interior design creativity, we'll turn again to the professionalism of KZF."
Lois and Richard Rosenthal