The Cirque’s mixed program would normally take a user an entire city block to encounter. Because of this, the structure was designed with a vertical circulatory ramp that creates interactions and experiences that the user would have walking around a city block. This vertical circulation becomes a flexible space in itself. The space is designed to incorporate different types of events such as art shows, farmers markets, wine/beer festivals, conventions.
The facade was designed with a double-skin glass wall system with mullions and a cornice that take cues from the Cirque’s historic context. The regulated facade is interrupted with “shadow boxes” that spark an interaction between the user and the city outside. These “shadow boxes” consist of a translucent wall that casts the users shadow as they walk by and begin to interact with it. Projections of different sizes are scattered along the vertical circulatory path. These interactions create a unique experience for the user inside the structure while also creating curiosity and attracting people into the building.