The Denver-based architecture firm Tres Birds was tasked with creating a space that materially and conceptually responded to the Arts Center’s collection of artist-built environments. They wrote of their intentions:

“The collection informed the shape and form of the building in two ways. As much of the collection was built and exhibited outdoors and draws power from this connection, the form of the building was influenced by this in the way that apertures have been placed throughout the space so the art has connections to the exterior. Whether it’s a grand view of the Sheboygan River across Indiana Avenue or a view to the adjacent wooded hillside, views and light have been curated to create an ever-changing space in which the art lives. The dynamic shape of the building resulted in the creation of small, medium, and large spaces of varying heights that match the wide-ranging scale of the collection.

The collection also informed the materiality of the building. The collection has been described as work built by humble people using humble materials to create extraordinary work. The materiality of the building follows suit. For example, regional river rock has been exposed in the exterior concrete work and the polished concrete floors. The regionally sourced timber shades are used to shade the interior of the space to protect the collection, but they also represent the experience of the trees located on the hillside surrounding the building.”