Corita Kent Foundation
USC, ARCH605b
Graduate Architecture Design Comprehensive
Spring 2025

Section Instructor: Soomeen Hahm

This project envisions a dynamic gallery where exhibition, research, and conservation spaces seamlessly merge, much like cells fusing to create a greater whole, reflecting Corita Kent’s ability to blend art, activism, and spirituality into a unified vision. Fluid circulation dissolves boundaries between public and archival areas, immersing visitors in the interconnected processes of art handling and preservation. The façade embodies this concept, appearing as two distinct forms merging, with shifting materials and transparency that echo Kent’s bold, layered compositions and her fusion of faith, creativity, and social change. The site plays a crucial role in shaping the architecture: divided into two distinct segments, it allows for a central public circulation spine that cuts through the building, reinforcing openness and accessibility. This axial void not only links the urban fabric but also invites the public deep into the core of the institution, echoing Kent’s belief in democratic access to art. The building itself stands boldly, an unapologetic presence that, like Kent’s work, commands attention through its fearless exploration of form, materiality, and color. Just as Kent experimented with unexpected juxtapositions and vibrant palettes, the gallery plays with varied textures, unconventional geometries, and a vivid color strategy that celebrates her eclectic spirit. It is not only a space to view her legacy but a spatial embodiment of her radical joy and artistic rebellion.

Contents Produced by Htet Oo Wai Yan

Section Instructor: Soomeen Hahm

Class Coordinators: Selwyn Ting, Geoffrey von Oeyen