Tacoma Art Museum Benaroya Wing Grand Opening
2019/01/18
On January 19, Tacoma Art Museum’s new Benaroya Wing will open its doors to the public. This 6,595-square-foot expansion, led by Design Principal Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA and Principal Kirsten Ring Murray, FAIA, will showcase the Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Collection gift. The design balances opacity and transparency, providing symmetry with the recent TAM addition of the Haub Family Galleries, also designed by Olson Kundig.
The Benaroya Wing is an evolution of the original museum design – it is intended to be an extension of the larger museum building, but add a new level of transparency and viewability to continue the Tacoma Art Museum’s longstanding goal of deepening their engagement with the city.Kirsten Ring Murray, FAIA, Principal
The Benaroya Wing strengthens the visual connection between TAM and the city by activating the north end of the museum and offering a new platform for visitors to observe the urban context from the galleries. Tom Kundig notes: “With the new Benaroya Wing, I’m most excited about the opportunity to break down traditional thresholds between the museum and the public. The new Vista Gallery makes the museum part of the urban experience, connecting the interior experience back out to the urban and enticing people inside to view the Benaroya Collection.”
The grand opening on Saturday, January 19th from 10 am – 4 pm will feature dance performances by Kate O’Day; opportunities to experiment with fused glass and printmaking processes lead by Hilltop Artists; poetry readings and jazz music by genre-bending band 322; and an artist talk by award-winning curator, historian, appraiser and editor of Glass Magazine William Warmus who will speak about the history of glass. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/Benaroya.
As we work to make TAM more inviting to all our communities, this new wing is a visual expression of our philosophy of inviting everybody into the museum. It is an incredibly beautiful and adaptable space which will allow us full reign to showcase glass to the very highest standards.David F. Setford, TAM Executive Director
Project Team
Olson Kundig Design Team: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal; Kirsten Ring Murray, FAIA, Principal; Kimberly Shoemake-Medlock, Project Manager; Thomas Brown, LEED® AP, Project Manager; Brian Walters, LEED® AP, Laura Bartunek, Rehanna Rojiani, Architectural Staff; Vikram Sami, AIA, BEMP, LEED® AP BD+C, Building Performance; Michelle Arab, ASLA, Landscape Architecture
Consultants
JTM Construction, General Contractor; CPL, Civil Engineer; PCS, Structural Engineer; WSP, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer; Arup, Lighting Design; BRC Acoustics & Audiovisual Design, Acoustic Consultant