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The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has announced the six architecture firms shortlisted for a major expansion to its grounds in Kansas City, Missouri. The six shortlisted firms are: Kengo Kuma & Associates, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Selldorf Architects, Studio Gang, Weiss/Manfredi Architecture, and WHY Architecture.
The competition, organized by Malcolm Reading Consultants, was first shared in May, as reported by AN. Then, the open call for international architects to submit happened in early October. By the numbers, 182 teams entered the competition from 30 different countries. Because of the high volume of entries, and the quality of entries, six firms were shortlisted instead of five, museum officials noted.
“The Selection Committee was faced with a daunting task to select the best from over 180 submissions,” Malcolm Reading Consultants said in a statement. “So, in the end, what shone through? The six teams presented outstanding credentials combined with creative leadership and forward-thinking. This list encompasses diversity, experience and design excellence. The next stage will test not only the teams’ pure design thinking, but also their ingenuity in how to draw and energize new audiences.”
The overall project cost is between $160 million and $170 million. Moving forward, the Architect Selection Committee, chaired by Evelyn Craft Belger, will invite the six shortlisted firms to the museum for a “detailed briefing and begin working on their concept designs over the next three months.”
On December 12, Julián Zugazagoitia, Nelson-Atkins director and CEO, will give a presentation introducing the competition and project. At that presentation, one representative from each team will outline their general approach to architecture. After that happens, a campaign will kick off to raise money for the museum’s construction, which will be mostly paid for by private donors.
The winner will be announced in spring 2025. That firm will go on to design a new a “vibrant space to host more art, and new creative, immersive and energizing experiences.”
The last addition at Nelson-Atkins Museum came in 2007 when Steven Holl’s iconic design transformed the heralded campus, built in 1933 by Wight and Wight, a Kansas City office.