The six finalists vying for the chance to design an expansion of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City have been selected ahead of next spring’s winner announcement.
The first stage of the competition, which we announced last month, attracted 182 entries from 30 different countries on six continents. The museum’s selection committee expanded the shortlist from five to six teams in recognition of their designs’ excellence. The finalists will next visit the museum for a detailed introduction before they begin working on concept designs over the next three months.
The six lead firms for the expansion are:
Whoever does win will be working within an anticipated budget of between $160 million – $170 million. Finalists were not required to submit a design proposal with the initial selection round. Each team will receive a competition fee of $75,000 for their design work when the competition concludes.
Julián Zugazagoitia, the Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins said finally: "The invitation to envision our future was a call-out to creativity. We’re at an invigorating moment for the museum. Though this is a complex project requiring deep analysis and rigor around the budget, all options are on the table. The interest in this project is a recognition of how the acclaimed Bloch Building expansion by Steven Holl captured the public imagination and was pivotal for the Nelson-Atkins in increasing museum attendance and access.”
A winner will be announced in the spring of 2025.
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4 Comments
I really hope they don't choose Selldorf.
Rather safe options in Selldorf and RPBW. Kuma, Gang, and Weiss/Manfredi have distinctive house styles. WHY is the wildcard.
The selected architects will have to fix a really challenging circulation mess left for them by Mr. Steven Holl. The Bloch building appears to be designed mainly to be photographed and get more work for Holl. He must be an amazing salesperson/presenter. The problematic stuff Holl gets approved and built by the clients is always surprising.
@reallynotmyname - yeah that Holl building is a stinker. Also the exhibition design inside it is horrible, although I guess they didn't have much to work with since, as you say, it is designed to be photographed, not to function as a museum.
As far as the picks, I think it is a real shame that the standard for work of this type is a totally international invited list of starchitects. Not a single KC firm included? Or at least someone from across the state is St. Louis?
It completely stunts regionalism, small practices, and consolidates work in offices that are already recognized but use the opportunity to keep churning out distinct, established styles that perpetuate many of the worst tendencies of contempoarary practice. Meanwhile, they are often the worst abusers in terms of architectural labor practices.
And I say this as someone who has worked at two of the firms included in this charade of a competition - because lets be honest, it really doesn't matter which of the 6 are selected, in 10-20 years they'll be getting more money together for another expansion by another "of the moment" starchitect.