Gluckman Tang Master Plan for North Adams Creates New Connections Between Contemporary Landmarks and Historic Structures in North Adams

NEW YORK—Gluckman Tang Architects has developed a master plan for Western Gateway Heritage State Park (Heritage Park) for the City of North Adams, MA.

Heritage Park is a key component of the “Cultural Corridor,” a regional development initiative spearheaded by Thomas Krens, former director of the Guggenheim Foundation, that aims to transform the city and region into a world-class locus of contemporary art and architecture.

“In addition to improving the experience for visitors to North Adams, our master plan will enhance the central role of the city in the Cultural Corridor and its anchor institutions, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) and The Clark Art Institute,” said Gluckman Tang principal Richard Gluckman.

 Gluckman Tang’s plan for Heritage Park will strengthen strategic connections within the city of North Adams, provide site and infrastructure improvements, and also includes schematic designs for repurposing six historic structures as a museum and craft distillery complex.

The plan focuses on a former depot for the Troy and Greenfield Railroad. It proposes improvements to better connect the park with four points: Main Street, Mass MoCA, the restored Hoosac riverfront, and the site of the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum (EMRCAM) by Gehry Partners.

The plan reorganizes the site into three plazas. The South Plaza is expanded to help orient visitors arriving at Heritage Park and the EMRCAM. The Central Plaza comprises a grove of birch trees and outdoor seating. The North Plaza features an intimate amphitheater for performances and gatherings. The plazas are linked with a pedestrian path and a proposed extension to the Williamstown-Ashuwillticook Bike Trail.

Also included in the plan are schematic designs for adapting and expanding six industrial buildings for a variety of uses. These include:

• Adding 6,000sf to a 14,000sf 19^thcentury warehouse to house the Gluckman Tang-designed Museum of Time. The addition comprises an irregular extrusion that extends the exhibition space and a glazed atrium/entry with a steep butterfly roof
• Transforming a trio of 2,500 sf former dry-goods storage buildings into a linked mixed-use facility housing retail, food and beverage services, and office space
• Removing several floors of a 3,250sf coal hopper, opening up the interior to create a triple-height distilling hall with a mezzanine observation level, and adding a 4,000sf tasting hall and retail space
• Converting a 3,500sf grain warehouse into a storage and events space

Consultants for Gluckman Tang’s Western Gateway Heritage State Park master plan include IPD Engineering (SMEP), VIP Structures (cost estimating), and Berkshire Engineering (civil engineering).