University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art
BNIM Architects
Recognitions:
AIA Iowa 2023 Design Awards
Project Description
The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art establishes a new cultural arts destination that restores a state-of-the-art and resilient home to the museum’s extensive and world-renowned collection for the first time in 14 years, following historic flooding in 2008. The Stanley Museum of Art is an elegant and pragmatic museum facility that serves as a library and laboratory for the arts at the University of Iowa. Interweaving simple and beautiful materials, the new facility places emphasis on its world-class collection within while becoming a welcoming new ‘living room’ on campus. An inviting entry plaza and transparent, daylight-filled art lounge lobby greet visitors feature space for artistic expression and social gathering, positioning the museum as a integral component of the campus experience. A series of flexible gallery spaces encourage discussion and discovery of the collection and allow for focus on the principles of arts curation for faculty and students. The upper levels of the building include a visual arts laboratory classroom where works of art are installed for students' coursework observation and study. A visible storage room allows for dense display and research of the collection, and public spaces such as outdoor terraces and sculpture courtyard also contribute to an engaging museum experience. The Stanley Museum of Art is designed as a rectilinear solid interrupted by interconnected voids, creating a form that provides a protective and respectful home for the collection while inviting generous daylight in through a three-story light well and occupiable volumes that enhance the visitor experience.