MOCA Cleveland
Farshid Moussavi Architecture

Photo: Dean Kaufman
Clad primarily in mirror-finish black stainless steel, the building envelope reflects its urban surroundings, changing in appearance with differences in light and weather.

MOCA Cleveland is a non-collecting contemporary art museum designed to serve as a catalyst for creativity and growth in a cosmopolitan Cleveland neighborhood, which is home to one of the country's largest concentrations of cultural, educational and medical institutions.

Three of the building's six facets, one of them clad in transparent glass, flank a public plaza which serves as a public gathering place and links MOCA to Uptown attractions and amenities.

Photo: Dean Kaufman

Photo: Dean Kaufman

Located on the corner of its triangular site, the building is designed with entrances on all its sides to allow it to open along its entire perimeter and be used in many different ways.

Clad primarily in mirror-finish black stainless steel, the building envelope reflects its urban surroundings, changing in appearance with differences in light and weather.



Photo: Dean Kaufman


Photo: Dean Kaufman

The four-story building rises 60 feet from a hexagonal base to a square top, where the primary exhibition space is located. The dynamic shape and structure of the building as it rises is visible on entering the building.


Photo: Dean Kaufman


Photo: Dean Kaufman

The Kohl Monumental Staircase, a dominant architectural feature of the building, is open to the atrium and views of the other floors.

Photo: Dean Kaufman

Photo: Dean Kaufman

The ground floor contains a café and shop, and a double-height multi-purpose room for public programs and events.


Photo: Dean Kaufman

Because MOCA is a non-collecting institution, one of the relatively few such contemporary art museums in the country, its new building does not need to accommodate collection galleries. Flexibility is key to enable the museum to display works in a great variety of media and genres.


Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Site Plan


Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
First Floor Plan


Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Seond Floor Plan


Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Third Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Fourth Floor Plan


Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Section AA

Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Section BB

Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Double Faced Envelope

Drawing courtesy Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Stairs