Tom Kundig-designed Bo Bartlett Center Opens

On January 18, the new Bo Bartlett Center at Columbus State University opened to the public. Designed by owner/principal Tom Kundig, FAIA, the Bo Bartlett Center is an interactive contemporary art center located on the Chattahoochee River on CSU’s River Park Campus in Columbus, GA. For this adaptive re-use project, Kundig’s design approach was for the architecture to take a supporting role, placing the emphasis on Bartlett’s work and the Center’s educational programming. Within the redesigned space, he intentionally left the former warehouse structure revealed and raw, helping to retain the industrial character of the building.

My design agenda for the Bo Bartlett Center was how to make the architecture support Bo’s artwork and legacy. This may seem strange coming from an architect, but my hope is that the architecture disappears and Bo’s work is what lights the place up. Tom Kundig
FAIA, Design Principal
I think this is an important project to the CSU campus experience because although it’s an existing building contextual to the River Park campus, once you come inside, you’re transported to another world. It’s a world not only of Bo Bartlett’s work, but the work of invited artists, curated shows and temporary exhibitions Tom Kundig
FAIA, Design Principal

Inspired by the life and work of artist James “Bo” Bartlett, the Center houses more than 300 paintings and drawings by Bartlett, as well as his complete archive of sketchbooks, correspondence, journals, photographs, memorabilia and art objects. The Center will also host master classes taught by Bartlett and other leading contemporary artists, as well as a range of interdisciplinary community programming.

The January 18 opening featured performances by the Schwob School of Music as well as CSU theater and dance performances. For more information, visit https://bobartlettcenter.org/.

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