The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri has announced the six architecture firms shortlisted for a major expansion.
Per a press release, 182 architect-led teams from 30 countries entered the museum’s international design competition, which launched earlier this year.
Taking part in the competition’s second stage are Kengo Kuma & Associates (Tokyo), Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Genoa), Selldorf Architects (New York), Studio Gang (Chicago), Weiss/Manfredi Architecture (New York), and WHY Architecture (Los Angeles).
From this shortlist, a winner will be selected in spring 2025 to develop a new 61,000-square-feet addition, or additions. The team will also renovate parts of the original Nelson-Atkins building, and refresh the outdoor campus.
Museum expansion and renovation
“The invitation to envision our future was a call-out to creativity,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins.
“We’re at an invigorating moment for the museum. Though this is a complex project requiring deep analysis and rigor around the budget, all options are on the table.
“We want the finalist teams to make bold design moves and challenge the brief, while also respecting the existing museum spaces.”
Malcolm Reading, competition director, added: “The six teams presented outstanding credentials combined with creative leadership and forward-thinking. This list encompasses diversity, experience and design excellence.”
The estimated construction budget is between $160 and $170 million. The project will be funded entirely by private donations, and the capital campaign will begin next year.
Each finalist team will receive a fee of $75,000 when the competition concludes.
The process is being led by a selection committee chaired by Evelyn Craft Belger, also chair of the museum’s board of trustees.
She said: “Choosing the finalist teams was difficult given the extraordinary breadth of talent interested in the project. In keeping with the high expectations of the Kansas City community, the final list identifies some of the most respected designers working in museum architecture today.”
On 12 December, the Nelson-Atkins will introduce the competition and project at a public event.
Images courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
