Tamara Polat | Portfolio

TAINO ART CENTER in PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and devastated the capital city, Port-au-Prince.
Among the earthquake’s widespread destruction were also museums, galleries and other places that contained Haiti’s artistic treasures. The Centre d’Art, which launched the Haitian arts movement in the 1940s, was severely damaged.
This project is an effort to cherish Haitian Naive Art in a building which is sturdy, self efficient, and built with sustainable strategies and materials.
The concept for the Art Center is Taino coqui frog. Tainos were indigenous people of Haiti and many Taino myths surrounded the coqui.

ENTRANCE RECEPTION

INSPIRATION

SITE PLAN

The gallery space is designed with recycled and reclaimed materials. Natural light is penetrating the clearstory windows and creating a bright space for viewing the beautiful Haitian Naive Art. The rods on the walls serve as display units for the artwork, and the paintings are hung with aluminum chains which are made out of recycled soda cans.

ART GALLERY

The cafeteria welcomes visitors and artists and offers a clean, bright and comfortable space for them to relax or to be inspired. Birch wood chairs and white painted tables create comfortable seating as well as clean and bright atmosphere for people to enjoy the cafeteria. The outdoor space is inviting the visitors to relax in the nature.