Circa on Jellicoe Multi-media Art Gallery by studioMAS Architects

Johannesburg is home to Circa on Jellicoe, a multi-media art gallery designed by South African based practice, studioMAS. Located on a busy urban intersection, it marks a prominent public intervention that challenges perceptions of “art” and “art galleries”.

The architecture is a sculpture, moulding itself around its contents. Its elliptical form has developed from the constraints of a narrow site and the prospect of creating a landmark. Its main feature is an aluminium fin facade that allows views into and out of the building.

Circa comprises of three levels; the public ground floor, consists of 106m2 of craft exhibition space. Beyond this, users traverse a perimeter ramp that connects ground and first floor exhibition spaces. This 177.76m2 double volume multi-purpose exhibition space has 7 movable display screens that can drop through the floor into the ground level below, when unused. The top floor consists of a 105m2 private lounge and deck overlooking Johannesburg’s urban forest. Circa is built as a part of the city, its art and its people; it is a fluid point in time, that will morph and evolve as South Africa, and its art, does.

Circa on Jellicoe Multi-media Art Gallery by studioMAS Architects Photo Gallery