For Immediate Release: October 6, 2008
HGA Selected as Executive Architect for Weisman Art Museum Addition
Minneapolis, MN - HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) has been selected as the executive architect and engineers in association with Gehry Partners, LLP, Los Angeles, California, as design architect, for the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum addition at the University of Minnesota.
The addition nearly doubles exhibit and educational space while continuing the architectural vocabulary of the existing museum, designed by Gehry Partners in 1993. On the east facade facing Coffman Union, four rectangular gallery volumes clad in brick from the existing museum contrast with a more sculptural north facade of a new multimedia gallery clad in curving stainless-steel panels. The formal language of the west facade links the east and north sides, creating a unified architectural whole. In addition, a widened pedestrian walkway, also wrapped in stainless-steel panels, reinforces the connection between Coffman Union, the Washington Avenue Bridge, and the museum entrance.
"The Weisman Art Museum is committed to presenting art in a dynamic setting that serves both the university and larger community," said John Cook, AIA, vice president and project architect with HGA. "We are excited to combine our technical design expertise with Gehry Partners to create a leading-edge space that enables the museum to advance its mission."
HGA Contact: Julie Luers (612) 758-4000 e-mail JLuers@hga.com
Media Contact: Susan Evans, Evans Larson (612) 338-6999 e-mail susan@evanslarson.com