Building of the Day: Amant Foundation

Nestled between auto-body shops and industrial warehouses in East Williamsburg, the Amant Foundation’s new arts campus is a hidden gem worth braving the L train to see. Designed by SO-IL, the three buildings that make up the campus stretch across three blocks (21,000 sq. in area)—not an insignificant footprint for a young, independently-owned, non-collecting institution and artist residency. Its size may be large on paper, but in person the campus still feels contained and private, almost mysterious in how unobtrusive it is.

That sense of poised mystery is best articulated through Amant’s materiality, with particular praise directed to its facade. Brick, cast-in-place concrete, aluminum, and steel echo the site’s context and history without coming across as glib (a rare feat in today’s architectural paradigm). The colors are muted, sticking to a solidly neutral palette of whites, grays, beiges, and browns. The most impressive moment of visual and tactile surprise is the cement brick facade, where a dogtooth pattern alternates the smooth and rough sides of the bricks. The effect is an almost irresistible desire to touch the building, to want to know it on a deeper level.

Although technically Amant Foundation opened in July, SO-IL is still putting on the finishing touches. This precluded our tour from seeing some of the interior spaces, like the artists’ studios and lounges, the offices, and the coming-soon cafe. Once the project is totally wrapped up, Amant’s draw and vibe could echo Dia: Beacon’s and would cost significantly less time and money to access. In short, a must-see.