The McGee Art Pavilion is an expansion of the School of Art and Design at New York State College of Ceramics in Alfred, New York. Taking its cue from the building’s function and the region of western New York State, which is the birthplace of American architectural ceramics, the pavilion is designed as a ceramic vessel for holding art and light.  Its ceramic façade, which is made of unglazed terra cotta tubes and functions as a solar and rain screen, recalls the craft that goes on inside the building. The unglazed ruddy white pigment and pattern of the façade is purposely ‘unfinished’ like student art work before the final finishing. The building gestures to the campus and the street through dramatic cantilevers that engage onlookers to look at the building and want to know more.