[Arch City]

David Chipperfield Architects' Saint Louis Art Museum designs revealed

David Chipperfield Architects have completed the design for a $125 million expansion of the Saint Louis Art Museum, presented on 5 November 2007.

The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the leading art museums in the US, housing more than 30,000 works of art. Its collections include works of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. Its Beaux-Arts-style historic home in Forest Park was designed for the 1904 World’s Fair by architect Cass Gilbert.

The expansion will increase the Museum's galleries and public spaces, providing new exhibition space for the Museum’s comprehensive collection, and also for touring exhibitions. The design creates an addition to the east and south of the original 1904 building with a dark, polished concrete façade made using Missouri river aggregate. New galleries and public spaces are top-lit and have a number of floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting and providing views from both inside and outside. The design organically links the expansion to the current structure by connecting to existing primary circulation axes. It features a new central staircase to more clearly connect the main level to a new, lower level public concourse serving an expanded café and the existing museum shop and auditorium.

A new restaurant will overlook Forest Park to the north. All existing Museum surface parking will be relocated to a 300-space, three-level, below-grade parking garage. The project also includes a new restaurant and a new fully accessible front entrance. In total, the plan provides for 82,452 square feet of new galleries, public space and art support, and 128,979 square feet for below-grade parking.

The Museum expects to break ground on the expansion project in late 2008, with completion anticipated in 2011.

Source (http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1566)

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1566_2_1000%20D%20Chip%20St%20Louis%202.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1566_4_1000%20D%20Chip%20St%20Louis%204.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1566_1_1000%20D%20Chip%20St%20Louis%201.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1566_3_1000%20D%20Chip%20St%20Louis%203.jpg

[HomeInMyShoes]

Cool. SLAM is a great gallery and a great assset for Saint Louis.

I hope it leaves little imprint on the view too much from the Grand Basin. Looking out across the Basin towards the gallery on top of Art Hill was always one of my favourite views in Saint Louis.

From September 2006...
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/HomeInMyShoes/ForestPark/DSC_0036.jpg

[Xing]

hmm...

[Sirus]

It doesn't really compliment the current museum, and looks like it will ruin the view in that photo just above.

[newstl2020]

It's not supposed to compliment the old portion of SLAM, as that was built decades ago and the new edition is to be modern, and is thusly reflected in its exterior appearance.

[Xing]

That's true, but it's still possible to compliment an older building with a newer, modern, design.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Decades? How about a century ago.

It looks modern in a cliche 60s sort of way. I happen to really like the look of the new addition -- it hits a lot of my aesthetic buttons -- I'm really only questioning the siting. I know the road out back obviously interferes with somehow creating an addition entirely out back, but suddenly we've got two entrances on the front side of the museum and that detracts from the grandeur that is walking up the hill towards the museum.

[woodrow]

Excellent!!

I tentatively like the design. Seems respectful of the old building (low slung, set back). I am curious about how the Grand Basin view will be impacted. I bet many people in SL will initially dislike it. In KC, many HATED the Nelson-Atkins addition (Bloch Building) until it opened. Then hosannas all around.

I think this should also be posted in the Architecture thread as well. Great project for a great institution.

[gary_kreie]

Here is a current view of the Grand Basin and Art Museum showing the area on the right where the new addition will be. Since it is set back and dark, it will probably be hidden behind trees and shadows in this view.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=283019673&size=o

[ArchMadness]

My initial reaction is I question the color. Seems way to dark and frankly to me, uninteresting. It also appears the designer made an effort to block the addition with landscaping. As if an anticipation?

[Skurry]

For an art museum this as unpleasing to the eye. Being born and raised in St.Louis i am dissapointed.

[vodnik]

From what I've seen thus far, I like it. While I like Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskin (or something like that) and that type of architecture, it would not have fit next to the current building. I feel this building will compliment the current facilities.

[Hayward]

Looks nice IMO.

[SuburbanNation]

"chic" shadow

[JMedwick]

The addition is fine and serves its primary goal: to be unobtrusive.

Remember, many complain each time a major institution like the Art Museum, Zoo, Science Center, and History Museum propose additions in the park. People just really don't want to see additional development in Forest Park. With that in mind, this expansion will just sort of blend in to the existing environment, even if that means the building is a bit bland. Better to have the expanded exhibition space in a bland building adjacent to the current Museum than have a spectacular design held up because people think it doesn't blend with the environment.