Request for Qualifications for EXHIBITION DESIGN for the BUFFALO ARCHITECTURE CENTER DECEMBER 20, 2016

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1 THE BUFFALO ARCHITECTURE CENTER 726 EXCHANGE STREET, SUITE 1006 Buffalo, NY for EXHIBITION DESIGN for the BUFFALO ARCHITECTURE CENTER DECEMBER 20, 2016

2 Table of Contents I. Introduction II. III. IV. Context Buffalo Architecture Center Overview Scope of Services V. Exhibition Concepts VI. VII. VIII. IX. Budget Schedule Considerations Submittal Format X. Selection Criteria XI. XII. Special Conditions Appendices 2

3 I. Introduction The Buffalo Architecture Center (the Center) is a new cultural institution in the City of Buffalo promoting design literacy and celebrating excellence in architecture and city planning as demonstrated by Buffalo s outstanding architectural heritage. The Center is located in the mixed-use Richardson Olmsted Complex, a National Historic Landmark. The Complex is set in the heart of Buffalo s cultural corridor and the Buffalo Olmsted Park System, neighboring the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Burchfield Penney Art Center, and the Buffalo History Museum. The Center was created and is managed by the non-profit Richardson Architecture Center (RAC) board, in collaboration with its affiliated board the Richardson Center Corporation (RCC), the owner and developer of the Richardson Olmsted Complex. The Center will open in late 2017 with 3,000 square feet of exhibition and programming space and will exist as a co-tenant with Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center (Hotel Henry). The Buffalo Architecture Center is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3). The Center is seeking a well-qualified design team to collaborate on the planning and design of the exhibition and programming spaces. Responses to this in the form of an electronic copy should be received by January 18, :00 pm EST. Responses are limited to 20 total pages and are requested in portrait orientation. Short listed firms may be asked to appear for an in-person interview. Please send responses and direct questions to: Christine Krolewicz Buffalo Architecture Center 726 Exchange Street, Suite 1006 Buffalo, New York christine@richardson-olmsted.com (716) II. Context Summary of the Richardson Olmsted Complex One of Buffalo s most iconic buildings and a National Historic Landmark, the 140-year-old Richardson Olmsted Complex is being renewed after years of neglect. Designed by one of America's premier architects, Henry Hobson Richardson, in concert with the famed landscape team of Frederic Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the building was completed in the late 1800s 3

4 as the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. It incorporated a system of enlightened treatment for people with mentally illness developed by Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride, in part by providing pleasing surroundings. Over the years, as mental health treatment changed and resources were diverted, the buildings and grounds began a slow deterioration. In 2006, the Richardson Center Corporation was formed with a mandate to save the buildings and bring the Complex back to life through a New York State appropriation for this architectural treasure. Today, the Richardson Olmsted Complex is being transformed into a cultural amenity for the city, beginning with Hotel Henry and the Buffalo Architecture Center in the iconic Towers Building and two flanking buildings, which comprise about one third of the Complex. The remaining buildings have been stabilized for future opportunities. A Historic Structures Report and Cultural Landscape Report created a Master Plan and serve as guides for the rehabilitation. At every stage of planning, the Richardson Center Corporation has used an active public process, which has helped to inform the Master Plan and all phases of redevelopment for the Complex. III. Buffalo Architecture Center Overview Our Mission The Buffalo Architecture Center (the Center) explores excellence in architecture and city planning as demonstrated by Buffalo s outstanding architectural heritage. Located in the Richardson Olmsted Complex, the Center will provide orientation, prompt inspiration, and serve as a gathering place to launch new ideas related to architecture, landscape, and design. Through exhibitions, tours, programs, and outreach, the Center engages the public in Buffalo s architecture, landscape design, and urban planning, and its role in culture and design literacy. The Center fosters collaboration with organizations with the similar goal of activating Buffalo s architecture, planning, and landscape. By providing a center to host exhibitions, events, and programs, the Center actively collaborates with aligned groups in dialogue and shared programming. Our Audience Our vision for the Center begins with the phrase Buffalo Starts Here. We envision the Center acting as a starting point for exploration of our city and region by locals and tourists alike, strengthening our audiences connections with Buffalo through the lens of its rich architectural 4

5 history. Primary Audiences Buffalo/WNY residents (all ages/all abilities), cultural tourists, design enthusiasts and professionals Secondary Audiences Schools/Education (K-12 and college students) Tertiary Audiences Professional organizations, experts/specialty groups Our Partners The Buffalo Architecture Center is already actively engaged with aligned organizations including neighboring cultural institutions, professional organizations, and other sites that contribute to our architectural heritage. The Center has been regularly meeting with these partners since 2011: American Institute of Architects The Graycliff Estate & Conservancy Albright-Knox Art Gallery American Planning Association Museum Education Consortium of Buffalo American Society of Landscape Architects Preservation Buffalo Niagara The Roycroft Campus Buffalo Architecture Foundation Society of Architectural Historians Buffalo History Museum SUNY Buffalo State Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Buffalo Psychiatric Center Burchfield Penney Art Center SUNY University at Buffalo - School of Architecture & Planning, Society for Disability Studies Campaign for Greater Buffalo US Green Building Council Darwin D. Martin House Visit Buffalo Niagara IV. Scope of Services This seeks responses from design teams with expertise in architecture, interior architecture, and/or exhibition design to co-curate, design, and build the inaugural exhibition program and visitor experience of the Buffalo Architecture Center. The successful firm will work with the Buffalo Architecture Center s Board and future staff and consultants in the development of its three inaugural exhibitions related to the city of Buffalo and the Richardson Olmsted Complex. 5

6 The consultant will address the issues below to advance the Exhibition Design needs of the Buffalo Architecture Center. Respondents should include their approach and a work plan that includes the following components: 1. Exhibition design and construction of a permanent exhibition and visitor experience on the architecture and planning of the city of Buffalo (approx sq. ft.). 2. Exhibition design and construction of a permanent exhibition and visitor experience on the story of the Richardson Olmsted Complex and the history of mental health treatment (approx. 400 sq. ft.). 3. Exhibition design and construction of a temporary rotating exhibition on the theme to be co-developed with the Board (approx. 700 sq. ft.). We expect the exhibition to change approximately every 6 months. 4. Design and construction of elements in ancillary spaces to be determined, such as hallways and other public spaces in the Towers Building including design of gift shop area and donor recognition wall. 5. A permanent wayfinding system between the spaces of the Center. 6. Development of exhibition content and development in collaboration with the Buffalo Architecture Center (research has been conducted and themes determined see Appendix A). 7. Cost estimating services for build out of exhibitions and wayfinding. V. Exhibition Concepts A visioning process for the exhibitions is ongoing and is expected to continue with the selected design team. The content will be developed in collaboration with the Buffalo Architecture Center themes have been determined and research conducted. See Appendix A for full Exhibition Brief. VI. Budget The aggregate inaugural exhibition (Package items 1-3) has an estimated average budget amount of $500 per square foot for design and production. The permanent wayfinding system has a total budget of $20,000. The budget will be finalized during this design process. 6

7 VII. Schedule ACTIVITY DATE RFQ Issued December 20, 2016 Submit Confirming Interest December 30, 2016 Site Visit Last Day to Submit Questions January 4, 2017 at 4pm January 10, 2017 by 9am Responses to Questions Provided January 13, 2017 RFQ Submission Due January 18, 2017 by 5pm Teams Contacted for Interviews January 25, 2017 Team Selection By February 15, 2017 Project Kickoff By February 28, 2017 Installation Begins June 2017 Buffalo Architecture Center Grand Opening December 1, 2017 NOTE: All firms that have notified the Center contact of their intent to submit a proposal will be copied by with the answers to any project-related questions submitted by other firms preparing their own proposals. VIII. Considerations The Center will reside as a co-tenant with Hotel Henry in the Richardson Olmsted Complex. The intermixed spaces require consideration and an ongoing, collaborative relationship with the hotel and the owner of the Richardson Olmsted Complex (Richardson Center Corporation) is anticipated. A search for the Center s Executive Director is underway and it is anticipated that the position will be filled while this project is active. The Executive Director will be an active contributor to this project. The Center currently has a small staff in place and will designate a single point of contact to liaison the design team. A working board, which includes a Branding/Marketing Committee in addition to an Exhibition Committee, will also have input as the project progresses. IX. Submittal Format Each submittal entry should be provided in the format identified below, not to exceed 20 pages total. 7

8 A. COVER LETTER Summarize background of firms on team, qualifications, and resources most relevant to this project. Identify team members (if applicable). Provide name of contact person, phone, fax, and address. B. APPROACH Statement of Team s Design Philosophy and how this project relates to it. Concisely summarize the proposed approach to the project, with discussion of team interaction (if applicable) and overall philosophy of the project. Outline presenting a description of the scope of work and tasks. Identify deliverables. C. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE & PROJECTS Provide brief descriptive text for each project as follows: o Project and client name o Scope of program o Square footage, square footage costs, design fee o Beginning/ending dates of project o Specify the role of key personnel for this project D. PROJECT TEAM SUMMARY AND RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS Identify proposed key team members including consultants (i.e. Principal in Charge, Project Manager). Summarize a proposal of team member roles and responsibilities for this project. List experience relative to those roles (reference projects in B & C above if relevant). Identify Consultants. E. MEMO OF CURRENT WORK LOAD If selected as the Designer of this project, identify how it will fit into your current scheduled activities. F. REFERENCES Provide client references for all projects in Section C, in the form of names, titles, current mail and addresses, and phone numbers. 8

9 G. PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE Provide a timeline with dates for completion of significant project tasks and deliverables and time commitments of team members/individuals to project tasks. H. PROPOSED BUDGET COMMENT Provide a review of the Project s budget identified in Item III. C, page 9. I. FEE COST STRUCTURE Although a proposed fee is not part of the submission, please describe the manner in which you calculate and structure fee and reimbursable costs for projects of this type and scope. J. APPENDIX Supporting Materials including resumes of key team members X. Selection Criteria The Buffalo Architecture Center is undertaking a qualifications-based selection process. Major considerations in the selection will be the following: Demonstrated team and staff understanding of 21 st -century institutional planning and visitor experience planning for architecture centers, museums, historic sites, and/or similar types of visitor attractions. Demonstrated team and staff understanding of institutional planning for start-up institutions. An understanding of the context and the goals associated with the proposed Exhibition Design and the respondent s approach to the project. Experience in designing comparable projects for similar clients and institutions. Evidence from prior experience of the ability to successfully provide services and complete tasks listed in the Scope of Services in a professional and cost-effective manner. The professional experience and quality of comparable work of the proposed key design staff members. 9

10 Capability to provide dedicated professional staff/team and time to complete the project on time and to high standards. A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with clients, consultants, community members, and stakeholders and to respect project budget and scheduling parameters. The cost and schedule for the performance of the work will be factors in the selection, however the final scope of services, cost, and schedule will be negotiated with the selected firm. WBE/MBE firms are encouraged to apply. Teaming is encouraged where necessary and appropriate we understand some firms may not have internal expertise in every aspect of design required for this project (exhibit planning, exhibit design, wayfinding, etc.). The submissions will be judged primarily on the understanding of the scope of work and the firm s past success in executing projects effectively. The evaluation will also appraise the proposal s sensitivity to scope and schedule. Preference will be given to the proposal that the Center feels will best help it achieve the measure of success sought for the completed project. XI. Special Conditions 1. This RFQ does not commit the Buffalo Architecture Center or any other entity affiliated with the Richardson Center Corporation to procure or award a contract for the scope of work described herein. 2. All information submitted in response to this RFQ shall become the property of the Center, and as such, may be used by the Center in any manner. 3. The Center has sole discretion and reserves the right to reject any and all responses received with respect to this RFQ and to cancel the RFQ at any time prior to entering into a formal agreement. The Center reserves the right to reasonably request additional information or clarification of information provided in the response without changing the terms of the RFQ. 4. The Center reserves the right to waive any technicalities or irregularities in any proposal. 5. Respondent firms/teams acknowledge and agree that the Center or any other entity affiliated with the property or the Richardson Center Corporation will not be liable for any costs, expenses, losses, damages (including damages for loss of anticipated profit), 10

11 or liabilities incurred as a result of, or arising out of, submitting a response, negotiating changes to such response, or due to BAC s acceptance or non-acceptance of the proposal. 6. The Center shall determine at its sole discretion and provide the release of all public information concerning the project, including selection announcements and contract awards. Those desiring to release information associated with this RFQ to the public must receive prior written approval from an authorized representative of the Center. 7. Neither the Center, the Richardson Center Corporation, the State of New York, nor any of its officers, agents, consultants, or employees shall be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided as part of this RFQ. All respondents are encouraged to independently verify the accuracy of any information provided. The use of any of this information in the preparation of a response to the RFQ is at the sole risk of the respondent. 8. The respondent shall not collude in any manner or engage in any practices with any other respondent(s), which may restrict or eliminate competition or otherwise restrain trade. Violation of this instruction will cause the Center to reject the respondent s submittal. This prohibition is not intended to preclude joint ventures or subcontracts. 9. All responses submitted must be the original work product of the respondent. The copying, paraphrasing, or other use of substantial portions of the work product of another respondent is not permitted unless legally enforceable permission has been secured from that other party. Failure to adhere to this instruction will cause the Center to reject the response. 10. Respondents, team members, and its consultants are prohibited from communicating in any manner about this project with any of the members of the Center s staff, its Board of Directors, Consultants, or the Review Committee during this process. All questions during this period should be submitted in writing to the address above or via to christine@richardson-olmsted.com. Communications between respondents and the Center, the Richardson Center Corporation Board, or its consultants and agents, notwithstanding the foregoing procedure, may disqualify the respondent. 11

12 XII. APPENDICES Appendix A: Exhibition Brief Appendix B: Permanent exhibition space plan Appendix C: Temporary exhibition space plan Appendix D: Richardson Olmsted Complex space plan 12

13 Appendix A: Exhibition Brief A. Key Background Information The Buffalo Architecture Center will provide a dedicated space for exploring Buffalo s rich architectural heritage and today s architectural issues relevant to the city and worldwide. The Center will also serve as a place for collaboration with members of the community and our cultural partners. In terms of visitor experiences on-site, a robust tour program of the Richardson Olmsted Complex has been in place since It is currently managed by the Richardson Center Corporation, the owner of the Richardson Olmsted Complex. The Center will assume oversight of the tour program in Tours have welcomed over 10,000 visitors since the program began in 2011, with over 100 tours now offered each season, and have consistently sold out. It is expected that the exhibition design team will take this into account, especially since the exhibition focused on the Richardson Olmsted Complex s history will only be accessible on tours. B. Exhibit Rationale Buffalo has a rich collection of cultural and professional institutions that offer a diverse experience in the arts for Buffalo residents and visitors (see list of our partners on page 5). Geographically, our closest partners are the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the Albright- Knox Art Gallery, the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the Buffalo History Museum, and the Darwin D. Martin House. While other institutions offer architecturally relevant content, there is no one institution in Buffalo that provides a holistic overview of Buffalo s architectural legacy and its significant contribution to 20 th -century national and international architecture. As such, the Center will act as a connecter and convener to our partners. The Center will be composed of three exhibition experiences: a permanent exhibition about the city of Buffalo; a permanent exhibition on the story of the Richardson Olmsted Complex and the history of mental health treatment; and a temporary exhibition space (inaugural exhibition theme TBD). City of Buffalo Permanent Exhibition The permanent exhibition will be located on the lower level of the Towers Building, directly adjacent to the new North Entry of the Richardson Olmsted Complex. The exhibition chronicles Buffalo s rich architectural history and its role in the development of 20 th -century architecture nationally and internationally. During the last quarter of the 19 th century, Buffalo became an economic and industrial powerhouse. From 1881 to 1900, its population grew from 155,000 to 352,00, becoming the 7 th 13

14 largest city in the US and the 3 rd wealthiest. As the city grew, Buffalo s civic leaders sought to transform it into a world-class city with world-class architecture. As such, they commissioned nationally-prominent architects to design much of their work. Indeed, in addition to H.H. Richardson and Frederick Law Olmsted, Buffalo boasts examples of work from Sullivan & Adler, Burnham & Root, McKim, Mead & White, Richard Upjohn, and Frank Lloyd Wright. This wealth also provided opportunities to local architects to create significant work; some of Buffalo s most prominent local architects include Richard Waite, Edward B. Greene, and Louise Bethune, the first professional woman architect in the United States. Much of Buffalo s rich architectural legacy is still intact. This exhibition will serve as an orientation to our legacy where visitors will be given the tools, digitally and otherwise, to explore the physical buildings in our city on their own. This permanent exhibition is approximately 1,300 square feet and is composed of four rooms, connected by vestibules and niches. This will allow for a free choice learning environment, with no specific flow. The rooms and niches will provide opportunities for individual and small group learning. It will also provide opportunities to develop a multitude of interpretive themes relative to Buffalo s architecture and the architects and patrons who created them. Through interactive exhibits for individual and group learners, visitors of the Center, whether new to Buffalo or long-time residents, will enthusiastically explore our city s architectural jewels. Richardson Olmsted Complex Exhibition The Richardson Olmsted Complex-centric exhibition will be in a 400-square-foot suite of historic rooms on the first floor of one of the former patient wing buildings (now a hotel room corridor for Hotel Henry). This interactive exhibition will tell the story of the Complex and the history of mental health treatment in America. It will honor the legacy of Complex as a site of architectural achievement, development of ideas, and human experience, and tell the story of the building and the institution that many generations knew as the Buffalo State Hospital. This story, as with many stories of universal significance, has its public side as well as its hidden, private side. The public history of the Complex is one of an architectural landmark and a place that witnessed nearly a century of advancements in the medical understanding of what mental illness is and how it should be treated. The private history of the Complex highlights the collective experience of the thousands of patients as well as men and women whose work and commitment made it possible for the hospital to operate on a daily basis. This suite will feature such themes as the development of the Complex as an architectural landmark and a mental health hospital based on the Kirkbride Plan, the evolution of medicine in respect to mental illness, and ideas about social progress, reform, and mental health that shaped how the Complex changed over the course of over a century. It will present the private 14

15 history of the site through the experiences of patients, their family members, and the hospital s personnel. It will highlight such themes as daily life in the hospital, therapies employed over time, and the changing yet persistent stigma of mental illness. The exhibition will further challenge visitors to examine contemporary treatment of people with mental illness. Temporary Exhibition The 700-square-foot temporary exhibition space is located on the first floor of the Towers Building, adjacent to 100 Acres: The Kitchens at Hotel Henry. In this space, the Center will house temporary exhibitions on architecture and design-related topics. Exhibits will be both borrowed from other institutions and created by the Center. The exhibition space will be designed to allow for as much flexibility as possible to ensure that diverse exhibitions are offered to visitors and members of the Center. We anticipate that the exhibitions will rotate every six months. C. Target Audiences We envision the Center acting as a starting point for exploration of our city and region by locals and tourists alike, strengthening our audiences connections with Buffalo through the lens of its rich architectural history. Primary Audiences Buffalo/WNY residents (all ages/all abilities), cultural tourists, design enthusiasts and professionals (architects, landscape architects, architectural historians and urban planners) Secondary Audiences Schools/Education (K-12 and college students) Tertiary Audiences Professional organizations, experts/specialty groups D. Interpretive Themes While there may be other themes that are identified in the design process, the following is the priority of interpretive themes currently anticipated: Buffalo/WNY architecture. Starting with H.H. Richardson, the father of American architecture and the architect of the Complex, we wish to explore the significant architecture and architects who made Buffalo the titan of 20 th -century design which we now treasure. Other architects and their buildings which may be included are: Frederick Law Olmsted Richard Upjohn Louis Sullivan Daniel Burnham McKim, Mead & White Frank Lloyd Wright 15

16 Edward B. Greene (Green & Wicks) Louise Bethune Eliel and Eero Saarinen Gordon Bunshaft (SOM) Minoru Yamasaki Charles Gwathmey (Gwathmey Siegel) Paul Rudolph Toshiko Mori The importance of holistic/interdisciplinary design. The Richardson Olmsted Complex was the result of three brilliant minds: H.H. Richardson, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride. The impact of interdisciplinary design excellence is a vital component in our human experience of place and space. We see the design and story of the Complex as an opportunity to discuss architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and wellness. The integration of all of these considerations makes the Complex an early holistic and sustainable design. Holistic design of the world. We are interested in exploring examples of other projects that, through holistically excellent design work, represent why multi-disciplinary design may be the most sustainable. E. Core Interpretive Message Our vision for the Center begins with the phrase Buffalo Starts Here, which will be refined in collaboration with our branding firm, who were are currently in the process of hiring. We anticipate that our branding process and our exhibit design process will overlap and inform each other. F. Visitor Experience We see the Center as a place for all ages and all abilities where the overriding visitor experience is synesthetic: engaging and activating all the senses. The Center envisions a dynamic and interactive interpretive experience where visitors learn through: Doing Inquiring Discovering G. Defining Core Interpretive Devices The Center understands that some content is best communicated through the use of more traditional interpretive methods and devices, but since we are appealing to all ages and 16

17 abilities, we want to ensure that there is also a multiplicity of different learning pathways to engage visitors. Some of the potential interpretive devices that the Center has been discussing and exploring include: Maker spaces/activity tables Learning/touch tables Object handling where appropriate (since the Center has no artifact collection) Activity trails (e.g., scavenger hunt at the Center and throughout the city) Visitor comment area Virtual/augmented reality Seminars/programming Mobile app Activity kits Website Social media Google Art Project The interpretive devices listed above are for example only and are not in any order of preference. H. Visitor Outcomes/Message We want visitors to leave the Center with the following: Oriented to Buffalo s architectural history, educated on its impact nationally and internationally, and excited to visit other sites in person. An understanding of the design principles they will see at other sites and throughout their built environment. An understanding of holistic/interdisciplinary design as it relates to the Richardson Olmsted Complex and to architecture overall. 17