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A Design About Its Place: The competition design originates from the unique qualities of the MSU campus: the wilderness and the oak clearing rather than the cardo and decumanus; the origin as an agricultural college; the sacred ground of Circle Campus; and the on-going presence and atmosphere of the old growth tree canopies. In the early days of Beaumont Tower the few elements of campus architecture appropriately expressed a place of dominion over the ground plane otherwise surrounded by wilderness. At the beginning of the 21st century that wilderness surround is diminished by the automobile, suburban development, and strip retail. In this project a new architectural solution is achieved that defines a sense of place for the Broad Art Museum that is harmonious with MSU campus landmarks.

Strategies of Connectivity and Invitation: The project gives over the ground plane to gardens, art, and three community gathering/events spaces (lobby, transit plaza, and garden events area). The majority of the building and all of the galleries hover among the tree canopies overhead. The building touches the ground minimally and reads as an extension of the sculpture garden. This strategy results in a permeable and welcoming accessibility through the building and site and allows for a prominent visual connection between the museum’s daily activities, special events, outdoor sculpture viewing, and the daily life of the surrounding community. The design also improves sightlines and pedestrian flow between the museum and nearby Berkey Hall as well as a proposed enhanced bike/bus/pedestrian transit plaza at the southwest corner of the site.

Emergent Form - Art Spaces and the Public Realm: Building forms are influenced by the scientific principle of emergence which recognizes the ability of individual plant cells to respond to stimuli and influence the behavior of the whole organism. For example, it is this recently understood molecular science that explains the plant mechanisms for bending to face the sun. In our design it is the emergent relationship between functional gallery boxes and celebratory public spaces that are the agents of form. The result is a new museum language of morphogenetics that yields a seamless convergence between domains of art and community. It expresses the needs of artist and curator as fluently as the iconic presence of a cultural arts center for community. The ideas of the building intend to enable a reconnection with nature and a new understanding of man, culture, and the earth that sustains us. Every decision of materiality, lighting, and detailing supports the concept of emergent forms.

Climate and Building Envelope Performance: The design anticipates a high performance building envelope with vapor, water, and thermal barriers; glazing thermal breaks; and offset walls to “cocoon” the gallery spaces in climate extremes.

Winter Influences - The long snow season and gray skies of winter are seen as design opportunities to create striking visual effects. Among these effects are roof snow retainage and a material palette that gives a dynamic quality to the building throughout the seasons. Skylights and clerestories are designed with diffusing glass and deep light wells coated in reflective white to intensify the natural light on overcast days and to soften light on sunny days.

Spring and Fall Influences - The equinox sun position of the spring and fall seasons creates the “forest clearing” presence in the lobby with dappled light effects in unison with surrounding deciduous foliage. From sunrise to sunset these effects traverse the ground plane to create a unique sense of place for the museum visitor that resonates with MSU campus icons such as Circle Campus and the Red Cedar River.

Summer Influences - The higher sun of the summer season is primarily shaded from glazing areas to avoid heat gain. Solar energy will be harvested by photovoltaic cells and solar hot water collectors for use in the building.