wHY architecture's expansion of Speed Art Museum unveiled

After extensive building works, the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky has finally reoped the doors. Its new design is by wHY Architecture

(Image credit: Rafael Gamo)

By Sara Sturges

last updated 25 July 2022

After years of extensive works, the Speed Art Museum in Kentucky is finally ready to reopen its doors and unveil its spectacular renovation and brand new extension. Endearingly referred to by locals as 'the Speed', the new museum complex, designed by internationally renowned architect Kulapat Yantrasast and his firm wHY, was executed in collaboration with the Louisville architecture firm KNBA.

When the museum decided to kick start its significant makeover, transforming its existing 1927 Neoclassical structure built by Arthur Loomis, they began an international search for the right firm. Whittling down a long list of over 100 candidates to just eight, the board members were won over by wHY’s proposal, coined by Yantrasast ‘acupuncture architecture,’ which secured the sought-after commission.

The idea behind ‘acupuncture architecture’ came up quite early in the project's development. ‘Rather than create a stand-alone expansion, we wanted to activate the original building from multiple points in order to heal the whole,’ explains Yantrasast.

The museum’s new extension – named the 'North Pavilion' – features a facade of concrete, metal and fritted glass. A wide internal staircase is also visible through the transparent exterior. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a series of free-flowing areas, such as an indoor/outdoor auditorium, an entry hall and a double-height light and airy lobby, which includes a suspended steel structure by contemporary artist Spencer Finch.

The new wing's public services are decentralised to create an unexpected path of exploration for visitors. wHY aimed for ‘openness and transparency’ when planning the interior program, emphasising a relationship to its context with numerous views out to the surrounding landscape, outdoor piazzas and the nearby University of Louisville, Belknap campus.

The new and old parts are linked through a suspended bridge. This connection supplies a view over the newly excavated atrium in the North Pavilion and gives access to the once hard to reach educational program area within the building’s basement.

The North Pavillion lobby — When entering the North Pavillion lobby, which looks over the original museum building, visitors are greeted by a series of free-flowing areas

The spacious and bright lobby features a site-specific, suspended piece by contemporary artist Spencer Finch

The new space host a series of new and contemporary galleries and a set of decentralized public amenities, such as a museum shop, cafe and cinema

The museum's new entrance point includes a public area with a piazza and water feature, providing visitors and students of the nearby university campus with an outdoor area to socialise

INFORMATION

For more information on the Speed Art Museum, visit wHY’s website

Photography: Rafael Gamo

ADDRESS

Speed Art Museum
2035 S 3rd St
Louisville
KY 40208
United States

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