Re-opening doors to the community
For nearly 20 years, the historic front entrance of the Museum was shuttered to provide climate control and security for the galleries inside. As the neighborhood began to thrive, the Museum wanted to re-invigorate its connection to the community. We re-organized the interiors of the Main Building to make this possible and created a new entrance visible from the adjacent Washington Park.
“With projects like this, Newark is now viewed as one of the 10 most thriving arts communities in the nation.”
– Mayor Ras J. Baraka
Pragmatic and symbolic solutions
Accessibility – both the perception of being closed and the physical accommodation of people with disabilities – drove the project. We created a new entrance sequence – an events plaza on Washington Street, transparent Bamberger Entrance and a distinctive ramp that draws people into the building. Inside, a new visitor orientation center, galleries for the permanent collection and relocated temporary exhibits have modernized how visitors experience the Museum.
Accessibility entrance that allows all easy access
Updated exhibition spaces
Karen Nichols, FAIA
Principal, Design Practice Leader
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Tom Rowe, AIA
Principal, Design Practice Leader
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