Kansas City Nelson-Atkins Museum Partial Teardown Exposed

A peek at the artsy process that local newsies don't dare criticize . . . Check-it:

The most drastic change to the existing stone structure—and one not readily apparent in the available renderings—involves the space behind the columns on both sides. Where stone stands today, Weiss/Manfredi’s proposed design puts glass. With this change, says Weiss, “you get respite and a sense of where you are.”

On the south side, in addition to replacing the formidable southern stairs with a sloped entryway, their design replaces the downhill retaining walls with an all-glass access point.

“What we wanted to do is open up those solid walls, dig some of the earth out, and that would be a great location for a restaurant with fantastic views,” says Manfredi. “So that was the strategy, it was not to change the museum itself, but just those really thick…”

“Right—remove these solid walls that really precluded being able to see in or out,” adds Weiss.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Winning Architects Discuss Nelson-Atkins Expansion - IN Kansas City Magazine

On April 26, the architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi won the right to design a massive expansion and renovation of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. With a light touch and an ear for public sentiment, it outlasted hundreds of international firms and five other finalists. Weiss/Manfredi, led by Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi out of New York,...