Six prominent architectural firms are competing for the design contract for a $160 million extension to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. The project will add 61,000 square feet of new space, including a welcome area, photography center, galleries, a black box theatre for digital art, as well as a restaurant and event spaces. It also includes a 74,000-square-foot renovation of the museum’s original building and enhancements to its outdoor campus.

The six shortlisted finalists, representing some of the most renowned names in architecture, are:

Kengo Kuma & Associates

‍This design, named "River / Stone," draws inspiration from the Midwest's natural features, such as prairies, riverbeds, and limestone bluffs. The concept features porches, covered passages, and terraces to minimize the form of multiple structures.

Renzo Piano Building Workshop

‍Renzo Piano’s design focuses on connecting the original Beaux-Arts building with Steven Holl’s modern addition through a transparent pavilion, emphasizing openness and light.

Selldorf Architects

‍The firm proposes a new West Building that consists of a series of volumes, integrating the museum’s surroundings, landscape, and historical context into its design.

Studio Gang

‍This design will merge the museum with its sculpture park, incorporating a new wing dedicated to exhibition, education, and social spaces, while uniting the interior and exterior of the museum.

Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism

‍Their proposal includes a building addition on the west side, expansion of the south terrace, and a new entrance at the north end, all aimed at redefining the cultural campus around the sculpture park.

WHY Architecture

‍WHY Architecture’s concept, called "The Hug," wraps around three sides of the existing museum, creating new connections and adding a sky wing to the structure, enhancing the museum’s accessibility and overall experience.

Julián Zugazagoitia, director of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, expressed his excitement about the designs, saying, “We asked for bold, inspiring moves that also respected the existing museum campus and I’m so happy to say we’ve received them in these initial designs. Each is a fascinating response to a complex project brief, together they bring myriad perspectives."

He further explained the guiding principles behind the competition: “The teams have shone their beams of thought on our big questions: how do we synthesise our existing icons with a new proposition? How do we modernise and embrace the future but keep the best of our history? And, most of all, how do we create a museum that is transparent for all and instills a sense of belonging and well-being?”

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has seen previous expansions, most notably in 2007 with the addition of the Bloch Building, designed by Steven Holl. This new extension promises to elevate the museum’s standing and accessibility for years to come, further solidifying its position as a cultural landmark in Kansas City.

Originally reported by Joe Quirke in Global Construction Review.