International project
Westmoreland Museum
The new expansion and major renovation of the Westmoreland Museum of
American Art designed by Susan T. Rodriguez/Ennead Architects has launched
a new era for the Museum. The expansion is a striking counterpoint to the
original neo-Georgian structure, marrying old and new.
T
his architecturally dynamic building underscores the importance of the arts and
the Museum’s vital role in the Greensburg community and the region, furthering
its mission to enrich a growing public through innovative and collaborative
approaches to the Museum and its collection, preservation and presentation of
American art.
“We were inspired by the Museum’s conviction that design had the power to fulfill
their aspirations for the future — both for the institution and the building,” states
Ennead design partner Ms. Rodriguez. “We found their vision, collections and the
site to be a compelling context for creating architecture that could strengthen and
renew the identity and experience of The Westmoreland.” Ms. Rodriguez led Ennead design
team with management partner Timothy Hartung.
Judith O’Toole, the Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO remarks, “After years of planning and
construction, we are so pleased that The New Westmoreland is the museum we have always
hoped it could be. The transformation of the existing building, with its seamless integration of
new and restored galleries and the addition of a dramatic east wing, all set in a lush landscape, is
breathtaking.”
The Museum’s transformation goes beyond the building itself to the site, where a new landscape
and sculpture garden by LaQuatra Bonci Associates extends the Museum beyond the walls of
the building to forge stronger connections to the city and the surrounding neighborhood. The
design of the new landscape takes its cue from the geometry of the expansion. The expanded
building frames the landscape while providing a more transparent backdrop linking interior and
exterior and revealing the activity within.
Before
A simple palette of materials and textures –
precast concrete, zinc, brick and glass – unifies
the expansion with the existing building. At
its northern end, and set into the topography
of the site, the new brick wing mirrors the
west wing to secure the symmetry of the
original building while sponsoring a dramatic
new zinc-clad cantilever to the south. Floorto-ceiling glass offers panoramic views at
the angled terminus of the cantilever, which
houses both a new temporary and permanent
exhibition galleries. The reinforcement
of views to the region and beyond will be
heightened as visitors move throughout
the building to strategic points within the
public spaces and gallery sequence, serving
to further contextualize the Museum’s
permanent collection. Perpendicular to the
new wing is a new south façade that visually
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