Nelson Atkins - Moving Forward

[shinatoo]

I like Studio Gang (but not the south facade of the main building). I like the street activation of WHY (video was pretty cheesy). And Weise in that order. Kudos to Kengo Kuma for the education building and general aesthetic.

The designs that take attention away from the original building get low marks.

Studio Gang with something like WHY or Weise on the south facade.

[Highlander]

3. Weiss - This seems to balance the previous extension, wrapping around the south lawn. It also would provide a great new entrance that would make it easier and clearer for people walking from the Plaza to the museum.

I like this one for the reasons you state. It provides a nice symmetry with the existing extension.

I do like the street level interaction and wow factor, however, of the WHY proposal in that it offers something that's kind of grand but doesn't detract from the ambience of the original Nelson building. Studio's proposal is great at first glance but I think it risks obscuring the grandeur of the original building.

[im2kull]

3. Weiss - This seems to balance the previous extension, wrapping around the south lawn. It also would provide a great new entrance that would make it easier and clearer for people walking from the Plaza to the museum.

I like this one for the reasons you state. It provides a nice symmetry with the existing extension.

I do like the street level interaction and wow factor, however, of the WHY proposal in that it offers something that's kind of grand but doesn't detract from the ambience of the original Nelson building. Studio's proposal is great at first glance but I think it risks obscuring the grandeur of the original building.

Same. At first it looks a bit like a 70's school design. BUT, the way it uses the North quarter of the property and leaves the South ripe for any of the other designs to be added in the future is a win. On top of the actual volume it adds. I can't see doing a renovation this expensive to simply get a few shade areas added, or anything less than some major SF.

That said it should be these three:
1. Why
2. Selldorf
3. Weiss

The rest don't really matter.

[TheLastGentleman]

Kengo Kuma and Associates


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Renzo Piano Building Workshop


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Selldorf Architects


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Studio Gang


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Weiss/Manfredi


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WHY Architecture


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WHY Architecture

[langosta]

think Why’s proposal involves the existing Nelson structure too much to be within budget. Looks like they want to add an entire floor + build up to the foundations around most of the perimeter. That will be a mess for many years.

The other proposals seem to only put a sun shade on the Nelson’s roof if anythinf vs. WHY created enclosed spaces.

If you look closely, WHY wants to encapsulate the northern facade behind a half-height glass wall. I am very much not a fan of that element.

[beautyfromashes]

think Why’s proposal involves the existing Nelson structure too much to be within budget. Looks like they want to add an entire floor + build up to the foundations around most of the perimeter. That will be a mess for many years.

The other proposals seem to only put a sun shade on the Nelson’s roof if anythinf vs. WHY created enclosed spaces.

Agree, but I think you get much more return for the Why proposal. If there is an event space on that roof, it would be an instant top for any wedding venue location. I think it would bring the donation dollars to provide the extra cost. Adding an extra floor might allow you to complete existing infrastructure upgrades to the main building at the same time. You'd have to bump up your HVAC and electrical and water. I don't know how long it's been since that's been completed but might provide new space and upgrades at the same time.

[langosta]

think Why’s proposal involves the existing Nelson structure too much to be within budget. Looks like they want to add an entire floor + build up to the foundations around most of the perimeter. That will be a mess for many years.

The other proposals seem to only put a sun shade on the Nelson’s roof if anythinf vs. WHY created enclosed spaces.

Agree, but I think you get much more return for the Why proposal. If there is an event space on that roof, it would be an instant top for any wedding venue location. I think it would bring the donation dollars to provide the extra cost. Adding an extra floor might allow you to complete existing infrastructure upgrades to the main building at the same time. You'd have to bump up your HVAC and electrical and water. I don't know how long it's been since that's been completed but might provide new space and upgrades at the same time.

But other proposals activate the roof without blocking one of the N/S facades?

[beautyfromashes]

But other proposals activate the roof without blocking one of the N/S facades?

You mean Weiss?

[langosta]

But other proposals activate the roof without blocking one of the N/S facades?

You mean Weiss?

A yes! Weiss activates the rooftop without blocking one of the N/S facades. I prefer them.

[herrfrank]

I like the Kengo plan -- I also think they have identified space for specific expansion requirements, which I am not sure was done with several of the alternatives. As long as the new roofline is below the west-side viewshed/ elevation, I don't think Kengo will cut off the perspective to the historic main building. Kengo also "activates" the historic building roof, although not aggressively.

I also like that it has a completely different architectural style to the classical and postmodernist structures. The Selldorf proposal I think will look shabby in ten years, like a strip mall. I like the Weiss proposal second.

I do not like the two proposals that look like an excavation of the southern slope.

[beautyfromashes]

But other proposals activate the roof without blocking one of the N/S facades?

You mean Weiss?

A yes! Weiss activates the rooftop without blocking one of the N/S facades. I prefer them.

I liked the Weiss plan as well. I listed it at #3. I think I like Why a little more because they seem to use the same materials as the Block lanterns. I think that is a nice touch that will further connect the old to the new portions of the museum. Both great. I'd be happy with four of the six options.

[langosta]

I like the Kengo plan -- I also think they have identified space for specific expansion requirements, which I am not sure was done with several of the alternatives. As long as the new roofline is below the west-side viewshed/ elevation, I don't think Kengo will cut off the perspective to the historic main building. Kengo also "activates" the historic building roof, although not aggressively.

I also like that it has a completely different architectural style to the classical and postmodernist structures. The Selldorf proposal I think will look shabby in ten years, like a strip mall. I like the Weiss proposal second.

I do not like the two proposals that look like an excavation of the southern slope.

Excavating the slope could be interesting. Could make the original building feel taller and more stately. Excited to see the in person models

[langosta]

Interesting, I just realized Weiss did the previous Theis Park and Brush Creek redesign studies in ~2015.

https://www.weissmanfredi.com/projects/ ... s-district

[rxlexi]

Finally had a chance to review these proposals more thoroughly; thanks to those that posted the link to the competition site as well as brought all of the renderings into the thread.

Kengo Kuma is my favorite, by far. It is the most elegant; the view from the west is iconic with the sloping roofs, and it leaves the old building mostly untouched and highly visible. I love the use of stone and wood, especially in the Rockhill neighborhood with its many stone walls throughout.

Second is Wiess/Manfredi. A nice modern complement to the Bloch building that rounds out the campus.

Can't say I would be super thrilled with any of the others, although they all have their merits:

Gang's Art Bluff is a really cool idea but it seems like it could easily overpower from the south. Selldorf is interesting in the way it pulls to the north and frames that side, but looks too much like a classic "museum addition" box. Piano is elegant, airy and open, but completely changes/covers the north and south facades. WHY is similar with the "hug" concept.

[langosta]

Finally had a chance to review these proposals more thoroughly; thanks to those that posted the link to the competition site as well as brought all of the renderings into the thread.

Kengo Kuma is my favorite, by far. It is the most elegant; the view from the west is iconic with the sloping roofs, and it leaves the old building mostly untouched and highly visible. I love the use of stone and wood, especially in the Rockhill neighborhood with its many stone walls throughout.

Second is Wiess/Manfredi. A nice modern complement to the Bloch building that rounds out the campus.

Can't say I would be super thrilled with any of the others, although they all have their merits:

Gang's Art Bluff is a really cool idea but it seems like it could easily overpower from the south. Selldorf is interesting in the way it pulls to the north and frames that side, but looks too much like a classic "museum addition" box. Piano is elegant, airy and open, but completely changes/covers the north and south facades. WHY is similar with the "hug" concept.

Kengo does cover the north facade which is hard for me to get over

[MidtownCat]

The Kengo Kuma submission is the only one worthy of an International Design competition.

The others are flat out embarrassing.

The fact that WHY and Gang's submissions were even shortlisted is a total joke. Any firm that disrupted the viewshed of the iconic South facade should have been summarily dismissed.

The quality of the work across the board is really shocking, to be completely honest.

[rxlexi]

Kengo does cover the north facade which is hard for me to get over

Only very lightly, with the almost porch-like structure up to the front doors (and not all the way across the facade). They also open up the wall behind the front columns with glass (as do a few others).

Some of the others literally put large buildings in front of the facade(s).

[rxlexi]

Also, is anyone surprised Holl wasn't brought back as an option? The overall composition of the campus would be more cohesive with just about anything his team would do vs. another "starchitect" brand.

[moderne]

The board has said that the final product would incorporate and adapt the best ideas and solutions from all the entries. Whoever is chosen I am almost sure will have some sort of connector under the south terrace to connect Bloch/Holl with new space on the west.

[MidtownCat]

Also, is anyone surprised Holl wasn't brought back as an option? The overall composition of the campus would be more cohesive with just about anything his team would do vs. another "starchitect" brand.

Kengo Kuma's submission is the only one that creates any harmonious balance with Holl's expansion, which was all about respecting the great lawn and the Nelson Atkins original building as a formal edifice.

It's honestly incredible to see how amateurish the majority of the submissions were.