Six finalist teams will compete for the final design to lead the expansion project of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, USA. The finalists include Kengo Kuma & Associates, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Selldorf Architects, Studio Gang, Weiss/Manfredi, and WHY Architecture, each proposing a range of approaches that respect the museum’s architectural heritage while adapting to contemporary needs.
The expansion project aims to create an open and welcoming cultural space that enhances interaction with visitors and seamlessly integrates with its surroundings. Reflecting the increasing number of visitors and the growing need for exhibition space and community programming, the project is planned to cover approximately 5,667 square meters. It also seeks to harmonize with the existing Beaux-Arts structure and Steven Holl’s Bloch Building, activate the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, and strengthen the connection between the museum and the city.
Kengo Kuma & Associates’ ‘River/Stone’ draws inspiration from the Midwest’s prairies and limestone bluffs, emphasizing organic curved roofs made from natural materials, blending the architecture with the landscape. Renzo Piano Building Workshop aims to balance the old and new by replacing the museum’s large entry stairs with a transparent pavilion topped with a thin, flat roof, emphasizing openness and public engagement. Selldorf Architects expands the west side of the building, placing a glass portico at the front to enhance accessibility and create a more welcoming arrival. Studio Gang extends the museum’s edges, integrating the park and introducing social and educational spaces that blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Weiss/Manfredi envisions a sculptural west addition with a glass facade and rooftop, enhancing the museum’s transparency while blending harmoniously with the surrounding cultural and ecological environment. WHY Architecture’s ‘The Hug’ wraps around the museum, connecting with existing spaces, and creates a Sky Wing designed like outstretched wings, offering views of the city.
The competition, launched in October 2024, received 182 design submissions from 30 countries. The museum’s Architect Selection Committee will evaluate the designs, with the final decision expected by the end of the year. The selected team will collaborate with the museum and its stakeholders to refine the project. This expansion will serve as a significant step in ongoing discussions about the role of contemporary museums, shifting how they engage with the public, enhancing accessibility, and promoting environmental and cultural harmony on both physical and cultural levels.
Kengo Kuma and Associates
Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Selldorf Architects
Studio Gang
Weiss/Manfredi
WHY Architecture
