NEW YORK, NY.- Fiedler Marciano Architecture has recently completed two artist studios they designed for the I-Park Foundation, a highly respected international artists-in-residence program situated on a bucolic 450-acre property located just outside the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. The two free-standing studios are a modern take on the traditional New England vernacular of pitched roofs and wood siding. The design is driven by I-Park’s intention to provide an exceptionally private work environment for visiting artists, free from distraction, while also connecting them to the surrounding natural environment and the community of creative residents.

Fiedler Marciano chose the location of the studios and the materials palette with both the artists and the surroundings in mind. Each studio is approximately 1,000 square feet, with the exposed wood framing slightly skewed to give each studio a more sculptural form and a dynamic sense of interaction. The dark stained cedar exteriors, and galvanized metal roofs, house bright, warm interiors. Form follows function, with every element carefully considered to allow artists total freedom and flexibility. Both studios are defined by a large north-facing wall of windows, providing the optimum light source for artist studios as well as views to the hills beyond. A ‘front porch’ incorporated into each studio accesses a network of pathways through the woods and serves as a flexible indoor/outdoor space for the artist to use as they like. Inside, wall space is prioritized, with concealed plywood blocking to support hanging work.

Design partner Mark Fiedler did a two week residency at I-Park so as to fully understand the property and community of I-Park from an artist’s perspective. This led to the development of an overall master plan for the property which includes the two new visual arts studios, as well as future plans for a recording studio, workshop, residence hall and performing arts venue. Of his time at I-Park, Fiedler said ‘it was a surprisingly intense and wonderfully fruitful way to get to know and appreciate the physical surroundings, and even more importantly the residency culture that makes I-Park such a special place for both artists and art’. The public can visit I-Park, meet the artists and experience the art first-hand during regularly scheduled ‘Open Studio’ days at the end of each monthly session. For the artists, the property and studios act as both inspiration and canvas, and anyone fortunate enough to wander the trails throughout the property is treated to a series of both natural and artistic delights.