The Dallas Museum of Art in Texas has chosen Madrid-based firm Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos to reimagine its campus following an international design competition.
The architecture firm described their proposal as “a reflection of the original building, transforming the relationship between art, landscape, and community into a balance of memory and innovation”.
The winning concept design addresses circulation, sustainability and gallery space expansion while respecting the 1984 Edward Larrabee Barnes building.
It includes a new floating contemporary art gallery on the roof. It also rebalances the north and south façades, adding an exterior LED-generated artwork and transparent glazing.
“The new and reinvented Dallas Museum of Art promises to be a confident exemplar of sustainability and urbanism but also to be a place that’s just fun to be in,” said architect selection committee co-chairs Jennifer Eagle and Lucilo Peña.
“Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos is known in international design circles but is possibly a new name for the American public. Significantly, this will be the firm’s first building in the US.”
The firm’s major works include Spain’s Madinat al-Zahra Museum, the Moritzburg Museum in Germany and the upcoming Cité du Théâtre in Paris.
The Dallas Museum of Art‘s director, Agustín Arteaga, said the institution is “moving closer to the day when we can unveil a reimagined building, a new identity and, potentially, the most significant collection of contemporary art of any encyclopedic museum”.
Architecture firm to expand gallery space
Six finalist teams were selected in April. The other teams in the competition were led by David Chipperfield Architects (London), Diller Scofidio + Renfro (New York), Johnston Marklee (Los Angeles), Michael Maltzan Architecture (Los Angeles), and Weiss/Manfredi (New York).
“Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos’ thoughtful and accomplished concept provides an inspired architectural masterplan for the museum’s future, offering a solution that embraces Larrabee Barnes’ design principles yet creates a new identity and openness,” said Malcolm Reading, competition director.
“Their clarity of design intent in conserving the integrity of the existing building and landscape offers dividends in reducing environmental impacts and optimizing energy use.”
Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the US. Its collection of 26,000 works spans 5,000 years of history.
