Whatever the future may hold for the proposed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert hall, acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava will not be the designer.
A statement released to the AJC Tuesday by Calatrava's American publicist made clear the architect has removed himself from the project: "In 2008, Mr. Calatrava was informed that the Symphony Center will be relocated to a new site. He was also told that a new master plan would be conceived for the site and proposals would be solicited for a new design for the project. Mr. Calatrava declined to participate in this process."
The orchestra and Woodruff Arts Center unveiled the Spanish architect's dramatic, $300 million vision for Symphony Center in 2005 when it intended to build on a 14th Street site.
But fund-raising stalled at $114 million, and the drive was halted two years ago. Today, the Woodruff Arts Center's executive committee will vote on a 25-year master plan that would switch the hall site to the Woodruff campus, at Peachtree and 15th streets.
Calatrava's original design featured a pair of hydraulic steel "wings" folded over the glass atrium that would open into a "V" during ASO concerts. Topped by an 18-story arch, it was billed as a new "postcard" for the city; one arts leader called it "a completely new architectural statement for Atlanta."
At a media briefing Tuesday for the master plan —- which includes an expansion of Alliance Theatre facilities, additional room for educational offerings, and new retail and pedestrian spaces —- Woodruff President and CEO Joe Bankoff said concert hall donors remain committed.
But Penny McPhee, president of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which has made the largest private pledge, at $35 million, said this week that it is letting the planning process extend before assessing its position.
"We want to support a world-class hall with the highest level of architectural design in whatever location ultimately proves most appropriate," McPhee said. "Until a new design for the hall itself is forthcoming, we remain in a 'wait and see' mode."
Based in Zurich, Calatrava rose to prominence for unusual structures that are aerodynamic and anthropomorphic. The Milwaukee Museum of Art's Quadracci Pavilion, his first U.S. building, earned raves. Time magazine named the expansion the best design of 2001.
He has gone on to work frequently in the United States. Current projects include a transportation hub proposed for ground zero at the former World Trade Center site in New York City. After its budget spiraled from $2 million to $3.2 million, the architect unveiled a redesign last month.
The University of South Florida Polytechnic announced Tuesday that Calatrava would design the first building for the school's Lakeland campus.
The Woodruff has kept Calatrava's fee private, but Bankoff said some of the architect's technical work is transferable to the new site.
Today's expected final approval of the Woodruff's 25-year master plan could revive the concert hall drive that launched nearly a decade ago. No timetable was given at Tuesday's briefing, nor any information about an architectural selection process or fund-raising.
"This is a time of great uncertainty," Bankoff said. "What we are doing is planning for the future, and we know what we want based on our strategic plan, as both the opportunity and the challenges permit."
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