The new wing designed by Selldorf Architects will significantly expand the Clark's gallery and art storage spaces and will seamlessly connect to the museum's main building and the Manton Research Center, both of which were previously renovated by Selldorf Architects.
Organized on a single floor, the twelve galleries will showcase works from the Tavitian Collection, many of them intended for close viewing in a welcoming and intimate setting.
“This elegant new addition to the Clark campus will be the physical manifestation of two great visions: the unparalleled eye of collector Aso O. Tavitian, and the peerless design of architect Annabelle Selldorf. When complete, the building will fit seamlessly into our landscape and greatly enhance the experience of all visitors”.
Esther Bell, Hardymon Director of the Clark.
View Looking North. Design for the new Aso O. Tavitian wing by Selldorf Architects. Rendering by Playtime.
Establishing a close dialogue with the Manton Research Centre and the museum building itself, the facade of the new extension will be constructed using a multicolored veined white marble, harmoniously integrating with the adjacent buildings.
Reed Hilderbrand, long-time collaborators of Clark and Selldorf Architects, will complement the new building project with a serene landscape intervention, enhancing its integration with the surrounding rural environment.
Gallery View. Design for the new Aso O. Tavitian wing by Selldorf Architects. Rendering by Selldorf Architects.
“We conceived the new wing as a companion to the Manton Research Center and the 1955 museum building. It is sympathetic to each of the volumes it connects, yet its architectural identity and layout are distinct”.
“The scale, materials, use of natural light, and views of the landscape will enable visitors to view the extraordinary works of art in new galleries that are at once intimate yet present memorable proportions. They are focused on the experience of the eminent collection and orient visitors to the surrounding Berkshires and the Clark campus”.
Annabelle Selldorf, Lead Architect of Selldorf Architects.
Tavitian Wing Materials Palette. Courtesy by Selldorf Architects.
About the Clark
Located in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, the Clark Art Institute is one of the few institutions worldwide that functions as both an art museum and a center for research, critical debate, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculptures, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silverware, and antique photographs.
