# Monolithic Concrete Gallery Spaces This Structure by Thomas Phifer Will House Richard Serra’s Work By Kalin Ned | Published 2022-07-05 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monolithic-concrete-gallery References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2022/06/28/thomas-phifer-serra-gallery-glenstone/) & [thomasphifer](https://www.thomasphifer.com/projects) A monolithic concrete gallery space was recently erected at the Glenstone Museum in Maryland. The paired-back structure measures 4,096 square feet and it was designed by American architecture studio [Thomas Phifer and Partners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thomas-street-residence). The materials used for the monolithic concrete gallery are powerful, to say the least. The firm used cast-in-place structural concrete and stainless steel for the doors. Skylights enable the only influx of natural light in the space. The building was specifically designed to house a sculptural work by Richard Serra—a celebrated American artist who is best known for his site-specific landscape, urban, and architectural interventions. The work in question is called Four Rounds: Equal Weight, Unequal Measure. This piece was completed in 2017 by the renowned artist. Image Credit: Dezeen ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Monolithic Architecture:** The use of powerful, raw materials and monumental casts to create impactful exhibition spaces on a grand scale. - **Site-specific Art:** The creation of large-scale artworks that respond specifically to the environments, people, and architecture that they occupy, thereby making previously unseen connections. - **Natural Light Integration:** The intentional use of natural lighting conditions to add dynamics and facets to visual art installations, as well as opportunities to reduce carbon footprints and lower energy bills. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture:** There is an opportunity for architects to explore the use of raw materials in significant, minimalistic, and sustainable architectural designs for galleries and exhibition spaces. - **Art:** Artists have an opportunity to create site-specific installations that utilize architecture and environment to create continuity and deeper context for their works. - **Sustainability:** The integration of environmentally conscious features in a space, like natural light, could reduce energy consumption and lower overall carbon footprints of large exhibition spaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [White Concrete Boxy Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-modern-art.md) - [Art Museum Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiao-feng-art-museum.md) - [Dual Level Concrete Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crow-museum-of-asian-art.md) - [Rammed Earth Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-museum-ehrhardt.md) - [Cloister-Style Sculptural Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meridiano.md) - [Light-Controlled Exhibition Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casereal.md) - [Angular Concrete Monastery Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monastery-of-lea-do-balio.md) - [Pavilion-Style Art Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galeria-house.md) - [Barn-Like Private Art Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boano-primontas.md)