Akron Art Museum by Coop Himmelb(l)au_苏醒强_美国室内设计中文网博客

Here are some photos of the newly opened expansion of the Akron Art Museum in Akron, Ohio, USA designed by Austrian architects Coop Himmelb(l)au.

All photos are © Roland Halbe.

Below is an edited press release and data sheet provided by the museum:

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The Akron Art Museum houses collections spanning from 1850 to the present day, a period that reflects the founding and growth of the City of Akron. To meet the increasing public interest in the museum’s programs and exhibitions, the museum commissioned the first public building in the United States designed by the internationally celebrated architecture firm, COOP HIMMELB(L)AU.

The new 63,300 square foot John S. and James L. Knight Building connects with the museum’s existing 1899 Building, a 21,000 square foot Renaissance revival structure, which originally served as the downtown Akron Post Office. The expansion dramatically increases the museum’s ability to originate and present special exhibitions and display major, rarely seen works of art from its collection. The new building also increases facilities for education programs for students of all ages and public programs for adults and families. The new Akron Art Museum is playing a vital role in the continuing renaissance of downtown Akron.

The Expansion
The Akron Art Museum selected COOP HIMMELB(L)AU through an international competition reflecting the museum’s longtime focus on introducing new artists to the region. The firm was chosen because of its leadership in contemporary architectural theory and thought-provoking approach to the reinvention of existing building resources. COOP HIMMELB(L)AU’s design literally and metaphorically opens the museum to the City and to the public, creating a nexus in downtown Akron for cultural, social and educational events and gatherings.

“The City of Akron has been a leader among municipalities in the U.S. in supporting the visual and performing arts and we have now brought the United States its first public building designed by COOP HIMMELB(L)AU,” said Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. “Our community can take pride in this building as a symbol of the City’s innovative spirit and take pleasure in the exciting new opportunities it represents for cultural and economic growth in our city”.