The Hirshhorn Museum has selected Selldorf Architects and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to lead its first interior and plaza overhaul since it opened in Washington, DC in 1974.
The institution is upgrading its galleries and public spaces due to significant increases in attendance since 2017, according to a press release.
“Art making has changed dramatically since our opening in 1974, and the Hirshhorn’s annual attendance has increased 40 percent in the past five years,” said Melissa Chiu, director of the Hirshhorn.
“In response to these developments, the revitalization of our museum campus prepares us for the 21st century. We are pleased to work with SOM | Selldorf to do this.”
SOM and Selldorf will also address the museum’s ageing infrastructure. The overhaul is the final part of a three-phase upgrade to the entire campus.
“We are thrilled to be working together on the revitalization of the Hirshhorn Museum,” said Chris Cooper, partner at SOM, and Annabelle Selldorf, principal at Selldorf Architects.
“Ensuring that the building is better able to accommodate the museum’s ambitious programs, while serving a larger and more diverse audience, is of critical importance. And we need to be able to do so while making the building more sustainable.”
The first phase started last year with a full repair of the facade. The second phase involves Hiroshi Sugimoto’s renovations to the Hirshhorn’s sculpture garden.
Upgrades to galleries and public spaces
This will begin in spring 2023 following a groundbreaking ceremony on 16 November. The project will connect the garden on the National Mall with the plaza surrounding the Hirshhorn Museum.
The Hirshhorn, part of the Smithsonian, was originally designed by SOM under the direction of Gordon Bunshaft.
Earlier this year, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC revealed five design proposals for the $130 million Bezos Learning Center.
Images: Smithsonian
