Dieu Donné

Dieu Donne is a "factory" for contemporary art in hand papermaking.

An efficient “factory for art” was created for this non-profit artist workspace dedicated to the fabrication of specialty art paper and its use as an intrinsic art form. Located in a ground-floor loft in the Garment District, the new spaces for fabrication and collaboration with major contemporary artists are located behind a light-filled street-front gallery space. The design required a deep understanding of the processes and technical requirements for fabricating paper, art storage, and artists’ work. Within a limited budget, significant 24/7 climate and humidity control, waterproofing, floor drainage, machinery load and power requirements were successfully incorporated into tight existing conditions resulting in an open and airy artists’ workspace.

The design reflects the flow of the papermaking and artistic collaboration process
The design reflects the flow of the papermaking and artistic collaboration process
The new double-height exhibition gallery spans the 50-foot street-level storefront space
The new double-height exhibition gallery spans the 50-foot street-level storefront space
Strict environmental and technical conditions were required for the studio, gallery and archives
Strict environmental and technical conditions were required for the studio, gallery and archives