The project consists of a restoration, seismic upgrade, restoration of historic architectural features, and and an underground expansion that added 35,000 square feet, to a historic public museum which converts it into a state of the art modern facility. This conversion involved a complete seismic upgrade to the existing concrete and unreinforced masonry building, restoration and duplication of historic finishes, materials and spaces, construction of new art galleries, storage and service areas, insertion of new mechanical, electrical, life safety and security systems and installation of new public store and restaurant. Additional design projects which were part of the museum work include the design of a sculpture garden, restaurant and bookstore. In addition, work included the design of several gallery installations, including the Spanish Ceiling, the Period Rooms, Seychelles Gallery and the Porcelain Gallery.
The historic shell was preserved and restored throughout; all seismic engineering interventions were concealed as seamlessly as possible. New architectural insertions within historic spaces were designed as discrete elements in a more clearly modern palette which relate to the existing by means of scale, proportion, light and movement, not necessarily “style” or material.
