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Washington State University Museum of Art - Conceptual Studies
In 2005, Washington State University developed a vision plan for Terrell Mall, the primary pedestrian corridor and public space at the heart of its campus.
The plan called for the removal of a dilapidated safety building, which presented an opportunity to introduce a significant new public open space to both
extend and capture the eastern end of the mall.
Meanwhile, the WSU Museum of Art, located within the Fine Arts Building down the hill from Terrell Mall, has been steadily outgrowing its single 5,000 square-foot gallery with a growing scope of collections, exhibition and educational programs. The museum has initiated a capital campaign to build a new 30,000 square-foot museum capable of accommodating up to three exhibitions simultaneously along with interdisciplinary support facilities to put the art in historical and cultural context for visitors. The museum identified the safety building site as ideal for maintaining its ties with the Fine Arts department and in supporting its mission to engage students and visitors in the heart of campus.
This solution takes advantage of a 20-foot drop in elevation across the site by extending a public green space at the elevation of Terrell Mall to create high-bay gallery spaces beneath spilling out onto Fine Arts Plaza. A tower element housing an intimate study gallery, administration and public viewing and conference spaces, is placed at the northeast corner of the site to serve as a backdrop for the green space terminating Terrell Mall and to signify the main entrance the museum.
Meanwhile, the WSU Museum of Art, located within the Fine Arts Building down the hill from Terrell Mall, has been steadily outgrowing its single 5,000 square-foot gallery with a growing scope of collections, exhibition and educational programs. The museum has initiated a capital campaign to build a new 30,000 square-foot museum capable of accommodating up to three exhibitions simultaneously along with interdisciplinary support facilities to put the art in historical and cultural context for visitors. The museum identified the safety building site as ideal for maintaining its ties with the Fine Arts department and in supporting its mission to engage students and visitors in the heart of campus.
This solution takes advantage of a 20-foot drop in elevation across the site by extending a public green space at the elevation of Terrell Mall to create high-bay gallery spaces beneath spilling out onto Fine Arts Plaza. A tower element housing an intimate study gallery, administration and public viewing and conference spaces, is placed at the northeast corner of the site to serve as a backdrop for the green space terminating Terrell Mall and to signify the main entrance the museum.
Location
Pullman, Washington