Movement Research

122 Community Center, 150 First Avenue, New York, NY

After decades of being scattered in different facilities across NYC, Movement Research (MR) — one of the world’s leading laboratories for the investigation of dance and movement-based forms — needed their own consolidated space.

Rooms available at the former PS 122 in the East Village, which had been adaptively re-used as The 122 Community Center (The 122 CC), offered such an opportunity. But for an organization offering free and low-cost programs that nurture and instigate discourse and experimentation, the cost of leasing and renovation seemed insurmountable. That’s where we came in. 

In 2017, to prepare a successful public RFP response to lease three spaces there, AYON Studio began working with MR to provide programming, space planning, budgeting, and architectural design. Once the lease was signed and the organization took over all three spaces, we further assisted MR with reconciling their space needs and budget with a phased implementation of the proposed renovation. 

The renovation transformed two ground floor spaces as rehearsal studios—one of which was named "The Bob" in honor of American artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), whose foundation provided funding for the project. An additional ground floor space was subdivided into a new vestibule, creating a resource room and lounge, and we designed and installed new ceiling treatments along the ground floor corridor that connects the two studios. We further established a distinct identity for MR within 122 CC by installing new signage on the second floor public spaces. 

The new unified facility helps further MR’s mission to value the individual artist, their creative process and their vital role within society, and strives to reflect the cultural, political and economic diversity of its moving community, including artists and audiences alike.

Client
Movement Research                       

Services
Conceptual Design, SD, DD, CD and CA

Project Team
Architect: AYON Studio
MEP: AK Engineering

Size
4,425 SF

Completion
2025