September 2015

Pulitzer Arts Foundation Project a Finalist for Construction Award

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Pulitzer Arts Foundation’s lower-level interior gallery expansion, completed by St. Louis-based general contractor and construction manager Tarlton Corp., a member of multiple AGC chapters, is a finalist for a Keystone Award from the Associated General Contractors of Missouri.

The expansion marks the first major alteration to the building since it opened in 2001. The interior renovation creates two new galleries that increase the Pulitzer’s programmable space by nearly 50 percent, adding 3,700 square feet to its existing 7,500 square feet of galleries. The lower-level renovation of areas that previously were used for offices and storage maximizes space in the building, yet maintains the intimate experience of art, which Pulitzer visitors have come to know and appreciate. The Pulitzer held a grand opening to the public May 1, offering three new exhibitions of artists Alexander Calder, Richard Tuttle and Fred Sandback.

In keeping with the existing Modernist architectural style, light and spatial dynamics played a key role in the design of the new galleries. The expansion’s design and construction was done in consultation with internationally acclaimed architect Tadao Ando, Hon. FAIA, who designed the original building. Christner Inc. was project architect.

The Pulitzer was temporarily closed to the public during renovation, but it remained operational, which created special challenges for the Tarlton team, which included Matt Pfund, project director; Bill Foster, project manager; Eric Nichols, project superintendent; and Kevin Oakley and Lindsey Garber, preconstruction services. "During construction, careful monitoring and maintaining ideal temperature and humidity levels, while keeping dust and noise to an absolute minimum, was critical," said Foster.

"The Tarlton team demonstrated a high level of dedication and professionalism on our expansion project, especially when presented with significant challenges," said Emily Rauh Pulitzer, founder and chair of Pulitzer Arts Foundation. "The renovation seamlessly connects the new and existing spaces and completely executes the vision for the building of Mr. Ando, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect."

Concrete as an art form was used extensively in Ando’s original design for the Pulitzer, and the existing public stairway that leads to the upper floor is a prime example. The original stairs, sheathed in a smooth concrete finish, feature horizontal clear glass panels topped by a stainless steel handrail, a design composition that uniquely blends the structural mass of concrete and steel with the transparent qualities of glass. "To create and construct a second concrete stairway that leads to the renovated gallery spaces on the lower level, the Tarlton team performed a series of painstaking quality control tests on the concrete mix color and finish to replicate the Pulitzer’s original stairway finishes," Foster noted.

"Pulitzer Arts Foundation is one of the most iconic cultural institutions in the region," said Tracy Hart, Tarlton president. "The expansion to the architecturally distinctive building honors the integrity of its original design and invokes the revitalization and redevelopment efforts under way in the industry and city."

In June, the AGC of Missouri named the project a finalist for a 2015 Keystone Award in the interior build-out category. The regional honors, awarded based on excellence in meeting construction challenges, are presented each November.

Pulitzer Arts Foundation provides an intimate space for interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement that focuses on the intersection of art, architecture and design. A non-collecting institution, the Pulitzer is committed to pushing the boundaries of the traditional arts encounter and providing its audiences with new and unexpected arts experiences. Founded by curator, philanthropist and arts patron Emily Rauh Pulitzer in 2001, the Pulitzer presents a highly varied program that invites visitors to think differently about art and its relationship to other disciplines in daily life. As part of its continued support of Grand Center’s revitalization and its vision to serve as a cultural destination for the St. Louis community, the Pulitzer brings together a diverse range of innovators, including artists, curators and community partners as its collaborators.

Christner Inc. is a collaborative design firm bringing innovation, research and insight to the practice of architecture. It serves distinct markets such as health care, science and technology, education and corporate that demand sophisticated planning and design solutions, as well as seeks opportunities to expand its creative reach through the design of libraries, museums, conservatories and other special commissions.

Tarlton Corp. is a general contracting/construction management firm and WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Tarlton completes projects for wide-ranging clients in the life science, health care, institutional, commercial, power and industrial markets, with special expertise in concrete construction and restoration and hydro excavation/industrial vacuum services.

Associated General Contractors of America
2300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300
Arlington, VA, USA
Ph: 703-548-3118 Fax: 703-837-5402