Saint Louis Art Museum Expansion / 2012

ArchitectDavid Chipperfield Architects

Executive ArchitectHOK - Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum

Structural EngineerMKA

Services EngineerArup

ContractorTarlton/Pepper/KAI joint venture

This museum features a diverse art collection of the highest quality, spanning both history and the globe. Front was retained to consult on the façade design, for a minimalist east wing extension to the existing museum, from schematic design through construction administration. The addition measures approximately 96,875 ft2 (9,000 m2) and the façade is comprised primarily of monolithic tilt-up cast stone with a polished mirror-like finish and large insulated glass panels. The floor-to-ceiling insulated glass panels measure nominally 5 x 23 ft (1.5 x 7.0 m) and include a tempered air cavity and a custom frit pattern at the floor and ceiling attachment zones. Other façade systems include custom skylight and laylites in the galleries and a canopy composed of a laminated glass soffit and honeycomb aluminum fascia panels. Front also developed thermal analysis models to ensure optimal energy and lighting performance, required for climate-controlled gallery spaces.