Profile

Indiana University Arts Museum and Academic Building

Bloomington, Indiana
Completed 1982

3-story art museum, art library and academic facility
 

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This building, designed to house an internationally significant art collection, is strategically located on a sloped campus crossroads. The site's 10-foot change of grade is resolved by an all-weather mezzanine that permits entry on the north and exit at a lower level on the south. The building is thus rendered not only a destination but also a bridge with pathways stretched far into the campus. Museum and art library functions are housed in two triangular wings, executed in buff-colored concrete to match the linked Fine Arts Building and other masonry neighbors. Unifying the whole is a 110-foot high skylit atrium — a pivotal campus landmark that emphasizes the museum's importance.

The building was specially designed to ensure the safe movement and secure installation of all objects, large and small, while making the collection readily accessible to casual viewers, researchers and museum professionals alike. Large flexible exhibition galleries invite participation, while adjacent storage/work areas provide an ideal north-light environment in which to study objects on reserve. Oversize loading docks provide 24-hour protection for late arrivals.

A 90,000-volume Fine Arts Library on the top two floors of the east triangle reinforces the museum's educational commitment. Other levels house conservation laboratories, offices, classrooms, photo studios and also a lounge that opens onto a raised sculpture terrace.

Major Components

36,000 s/f exhibition space (4 galleries on 3 levels); 14,500 workrooms / storage; 13,500 s/f sculpture terrace; 13,500 s/f open stack library; 5,700 s/f reading room; 4,400 s/f atrium; 4,400 s/f museum offices; 3,200 s/f conservation laboratories; 1,600 s/f library offices; 1,100 student lounge; vault, support, surface parking for 30 cars

I. M. Pei & Partners services

Site Acquisition; Complete Architectural Services

Structural

Weiskopf & Pickworth, New York, NY 

Mechanical / Electrical

Segner and Dalton, Valhalla, NY 

Landscape

Frits Loonsten Inc., Indianapolis, IN

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