Ox-Bow School of Art & Residency

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has long operated a summer arts program affiliated with their college degree program for the 100 year old Ox-Bow School of Art. The remarkable Ox-Bow campus rests within 115 acres of first and second growth forest, a coastal dune, and a lagoon once part of the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck, Michigan.

SMNG A worked with stakeholders to develop an existing conditions survey of key structures, a needs assessment, structural studies and list of prioritized upgrades including ADA work, and campus re-programming. The master plan took into account phased improvements that would allow ongoing function of the campus.

The planning phase included identification of buildable sites based on studies to preserve existing critical sand-dunes. This master planning enabled the School of Art at Ox-Bow to structure the necessary capital campaign to secure the necessary funds for subsequent construction activities.

SMNG A also served as the designer and architect of record on several of the building projects including the Inn Renovation & Addition, Printmaking & New Media Studio, Burke Glass Studio, Lutz Painting Studio, Marshall Dormitory, Janie Dormitory, Haas Painting Studio, Wood Kiln, and Metternich Lodge & Visiting Artist's Studio.