Today marked the opening of Morphosis' 57,000-square-foot Crow Art Museum of Asian Art for The University of Texas at Dallas. The project forms part of a larger 12-acre cultural precinct called on the Richardson campus that will include two new museums, a performing arts center, and grand plaza area. 

The new two-story facility doubles the space of the current museum. It will be followed later by Phase II, with another two-story building for music and 66,000 square feet of programmable indoor and outdoor space. Phase III will include a car park structure and yet-to-be-named third museum building, according to a press release.

Partner Arne Emerson is leading the master plan for the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenæum, and says: "By enabling visibility into the learning and creative processes within, and providing a variety of spaces for both planned and spontaneous interaction, we aimed to make the arts an integral part of the daily campus experience. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact of UT Dallas's ambitious vision as it takes shape in these new facilities."

The facade's textured pre-cast panels lend the design a "holistic identity" that's responsive to other campus buildings and the expansive Texas sky above. 

In the latest photos of the project, you'll see evidence of a careful collaboration between the firm and Crow staffers to design the 12 second-floor galleries (8 of which are dedicated to Asian art). 

The rest of the building program includes the Brettell Reading Room, art object study archive, a conservation studio, storage areas, multifunctional lobby, and multiple lecture and event spaces.

Morphosis says: "The design approach seeks to create a unique, color-rich environment for each collection by creating 'rooms within rooms.' Key galleries in the building are designed to display works in naturally lit conditions, with lightwells and window slits that permit indirect northern light to enter these galleries."