April 27 2011

Ziger/Snead Awarded Renovations to Baltimore Museum of Art

The Baltimore Museum of Art selected Ziger/Snead Architects to lead a $24 million renovation of the BMA's ten-building complex built around the historic John Russell Pope building built in the 1920s.

The renovation will bring significant improvements for visitors, including the enhancements of galleries housing three major art collections - Contemporary, American, and African; improvements to the East Lobby, and upgrades to visitor amenities. Much needed improvemnets in essential infrastructure, including a state-fo-the-art building automation system, will improve care of the 90,000 works of art in the BMA's world-class collection. Renovations to behind-the-scenes work areas will support the Museum's service to the community.

The John Russell Pope building is one of the BMA’s great assets. We have long admired Pope for his clarity and refined eloquence. We, too, aspire toward work that is well-crafted, beautifully proportioned, simply and clearly articulated, optimistic, and engaging. A building’s organization, proportion, materials, detailing, and lighting all work in harmony to support functional, programmatic, and aesthetic goals. In this project we see enormous opportunity in the relationship between the original building and fresh, relevant, welcoming, and dynamic changes to greatly enrich each visitor’s experience.

This project will dynamically transform the BMA into a vibrant institution that will attract an expanding audience, increase visibility, energize the museum’s identity, create a must-see destination and a place where everyone feels welcome.

The renovations are slated for completion in 2014, the Museum's 100th anniversary. The Museum will remain open and will continue to offer free admission during the renovation to ensure its service to the community.