Saiki Design was commissioned to work on MYArts, a unique vertical development occupying a distinct portion of the ARDEN building and nestled within the East Washington Avenue corridor. The 65,000 square foot youth arts center is composed of studios, classrooms, community enclaves, a theater, and supporting spaces. With limited ground floor exterior space for socialization and events, the project designers looked upward to achieve the project's distinctive emphasis on fostering creativity and community. Two rooftop patios emerged as auxiliary components of the scheme.
Hanging high above the vibrant multimodal corridor, the roof terrace was envisioned as an interactive space for casual performance, events and gatherings. Interactive stepped seating and impromptu stage features are integrated into an overall design that responds to the specific uses and themes of MYArts and their vision for an active, dynamic, and engaging street level presence. The outdoor roof patios and streetscape offer both privacy and connectivity to the adjacent neighborhood, adaptable for intimate repose as well as gathering. Tactile planting selection, designated locations for rotating outdoor sculptures, and carefully curated site furnishings add brushstrokes of color and seasonal interest.
The project received an award for the best new mixed-use development of the year.
