Stone-and-glass façade for Connecticut museum
New Orleans-based EskewDumezRipple has designed the Bruce Museum in Connecticut, which was to renovate and expand the first phase of a community-based institution highlighting art, science and natural history with exhibit galleries and support spaces.
The reimagined project would more than double the size of the original museum, from 30,000 sq. ft. to 70,000 sq. ft. It would include education and community spaces, and expand spaces for permanent and temporary installations of art, science and natural history. A three-story addition integrated with the current structure connects the project to its adjacent park setting, which would then be the centerpiece.
Drawing inspiration from the stone quarries found along the Connecticut coast, the design features a delicately-striated cast stone and glass façade that changes appearance with the changing light. The entrance will face Bruce Park, connecting the project to the community while drawing in the landscape to create a light court in the center of the museum.
The museum recently launched the public phase of a transformative USD 60 million capital campaign of the multi-phase expansion and renovation project. The first phase will involve the renovation of the existing structure, which includes a private residence built in 1853 and deeded by Robert Moffat Bruce to the Town of Greenwich for use as a ‘natural history, historical and art museum project for the use and benefit of the public’.
The second phase entails a 40,000 sq. ft. addition, to provide expanded collection storage, permanent and changing art gallery space, a public entrance lobby, café and lecture hall for museum and community use.
