The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City chose the New York architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi as chief architect for its enlargement project. Among the other finalists were Kengo Kuma & Associates, Renzo Piano Building Workshop in particular. “” Our competition was focused on the need to respect the original neoclassical building in the Nelson-Atkins, as well as our magnificent Bloch building, while bringing something new to our campus. »» said Julián Zugazagoitia, director of Nelson-Atkins.
Qualified as “Connected tapestry” Through the museum, the Weiss/Manfredi project includes adding a two -level glass extension with a green roof, intended to complete the Bloch building to the east.
The plans provide transformations in the north, south and west of the museum, as well as on its roof. Glass walls will be inserted between the neoclassical columns. The Nelson-Atkins roof will be transformed into an outdoor panoramic terrace. The Italian court Rozelle will be covered with a glass roof. In the south, a stone retaining wall will be demolished and replaced by glass to create a new entrance.
The new set will include, in addition to an exhibition space, an auditorium and a restaurant. In total, 5,600 m² will be added to the current area of around 31,000 m². The works, estimated between $ 160 and $ 170 million (around 150 million euros), will be funded by private funds. The launch date of the site was not specified.
The Nelson-Atkins enlargement project had already been envisaged before the Cavid pandemic. After this one, the museum, which saw its attendance increase, revived discussions on its space needs. The competition was launched in the spring of 2024 and aroused nearly 200 applications from architects from 30 countries.
Opened in 1933, the museum was built on the site of the house of the founder and publisher of the Kansas City StarWilliam Rockhill Nelson (1841-1915). As early as 1993, an extension project was envisaged. After an international competition, the architect Steven Holl was retained in 1999. Inaugurated in 2007 under the name of Blohh Building, this extension welcomes galleries devoted to contemporary, African, photography, as well as public spaces such as a library, a cafe and a sculpture court.
In 2017, the museum opened the Bloch Gallery in the original building, centered on the impressionist and postimpressionists from the collection of Henry Bloch, who died in 2019. Among the works of this gift are paintings by Manet, Van Gogh, Pissarro, among others.
The museum retains a collection of nearly 42,000 works of art, especially recognized for its Asian art pieces. But, as reported The Kansas City Starthe exhibition space, although Igrandi, only presents 7 % of the collection, and the new extension does not seem to remedy this limitation.
