Joslyn Art Museum Expansion

Architectural Wall Systems

Recognitions: AIA Iowa 2025 Craft Awards

Project Description

The Rhonda and Howard Hawks Pavilion expansion of the Joslyn Art Museum is a transformative 42,000 sq. ft. addition designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture (APMA), with Kiewit as contractor and Architectural Wall Systems (AWS) as the design-assist envelope partner. The expansion enhances connectivity, reorients the museum’s public entry, and introduces 16,700 sq. ft. of light-filled gallery space to showcase works from the renowned Phillip G. Schrager Collection of Contemporary Art. The architectural expression emerges from the landscape itself, expressed through a flowing, curvilinear facade composed of 993 interlocking panels—each uniquely shaped and positioned. The horizontal skylight along the roofline is a signature design feature, subtly transitioning from transparent glass to solid surface in a seamless fade that reflects the building’s thoughtful use of light and materials. A 40-foot cantilever and soaring 35-foot atrium ceiling highlight both the structural daring and sculptural elegance of the envelope, made possible through intensive early collaboration between the architects, fabricator, and installer. With over 2,000 unique elevation points in the entry facade alone, the exterior enclosure is a technical and aesthetic triumph, marrying digital precision with handcrafted quality. The project also revitalized three acres of surrounding gardens, introduced new studio classrooms, and modernized administrative and gallery areas. These enhancements expanded the museum’s capacity for education, community engagement, and contemporary exhibition. The result is a powerful architectural statement that reinforces the Joslyn Art Museum’s role as a cultural landmark in Omaha and offers an inspiring new space for generations of visitors.