The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has announced that US firm WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism will be the lead architect for the museum’s upcoming expansion and transformation project.
The decision concludes the six-month design competition that attracted 182 teams from architects in 30 countries on six continents. Six finalists were chosen to present at the museum in late-2024 and invited to display their concepts—along with models and other images—in a free exhibition at the museum, with the public encouraged to offer comments.
The Selection Committee was impressed with the firm’s core understanding of the museum’s needs, listening to feedback carefully and responding with multiple solutions. They were convinced the firm could design a successful building that would be future-looking, beautiful in form, and engaging and inviting to the community.
The runners-up included highly respected teams led by Kengo Kuma & Associates (Tokyo), Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Genoa), Selldorf Architects (New York), Studio Gang (Chicago), and WHY Architecture (Los Angeles).
WEISS/MANFREDI’s design, which the firm refers to as a “connected tapestry”, re-establishes a front door for the museum on the north side, opens up the west side with an inviting events and learning lobby along Oak Street, and, through new gateways and paths, makes the northern and southern perimeters more welcoming to the community. The events lobby will open out to a “Commons” space and a new photography center, allowing intriguing glimpses of the original building and landscape.
“This process has been thorough and illuminating,” said Evelyn Craft Belger, Chair, Board of Trustees and Architect Selection Committee. “The Committee was energized with the array of dynamic designs submitted, and I want to thank all the participating architects, and especially our five other finalists, for their creative engagement with us throughout this process. Each and every one of the proposals were unique and demonstrated an array of style and solutions to the brief.”
