MANA Contemporary, one of the largest modern arts organizations in the United States, created a new program to democratize the sale of art and allow artists to sell directly to collectors; dubbed “Decentralized”. The program requirements include expansive open plan exhibition space, numerous individual sales galleries, a restaurant, café, bookstore and support spaces.

Shenton Architects was commissioned to test fit the Decentralized concept in an existing warehouse and loading dock space on the North side of MANA’s flagship campus in Jersey City, New Jersey. Although the existing building has a complex footprint, it is clearly divided between the vast loading dock shed, and a single story warehouse area. The latter is defined by a grid of concrete columns supporting two towers above.

The design creates a series of parallel layers for visitors to pass through, which can be considered as open, semi-open and closed spaces.