Will Bruder Architects - Nevada Museum of Art

will bruder+PARTNERS
Nevada Museum of Art
Reno, Nevada

The design concept creates an architecture of dynamic urban presence in downtown Reno.

Photo: Grant Mudford

Shaped by the sun the architecture of the Nevada Museum of Art relates to the unique geologic formations of the mythical Black Rock Desert. The height and volume carefully mediates the transition between its commercial and residential neighbors.
In contrast to the angular eastern facade; the handcrafted Anthra-Zinc seam patterns, applied to the warped and curving western facade, exaggerates the form of the building with a unique organic tapestry of shade and shadows.

Photo: Grant Mudford

Visitors enter the Museum through a compressed wedge of intimately scaled walls inserted under the sloping black ceiling at the first level of public spaces.

Photo: Grant Mudford

The four-story skylit atrium, carved through the entire building section, is a constantly changing space of light and shadow.
Carefully shaped and proportioned wall apertures, and skylights with unique lenses of clear and translucent glazing, act as light magnifiers, refracting the changing light of the seasons.

Photo: Grant Mudford

The galleries are choreographed in sequence to create an exciting visual experiences for the visitors.

Photo: Grant Mudford

In the 200-seat auditorium the sculptural walls of grey polished plaster invert the museum’s black abstract form.

Photo: Grant Mudford

A roof terrace sculpture garden caps the atrium and staircase. Taking over more than half of the roof's surface the space is enclosed by the sloping edges of the building as they sweep up to the sky. The crevices in the wall on the west frame the city, the sky, and the distant views of the Black Rock Desert.

Photo: Grant Mudford

The architecture is enhanced by material articulation and invention of detail, forming a strong link to its geologic and cultural place.

Drawing courtesy will bruder+PARTNERS
Site Plan

Drawing courtesy will bruder+PARTNERS
Floor Plans

Drawing courtesy will bruder+PARTNERS
Section

Total area: 58,728 square feet
Building area: 60,810 square feet
Completed: 2003

Client: Nevada Museum of Art
Architect: will bruder+PARTNERS
Lead Designer: Will Bruder
Project Architect: Rob Gaspard
Project Manager: Greg Packham
Project Team:
Ben Nesbeitt
Richard Jensen
Jeff Densic
Tom Cheney
Dominique Price
Eric Weber
John Puhr

November 26, 2007





				Features
		will bruder+PARTNERS Nevada Museum of Art Reno, Nevada The design concept creates an architecture of dynamic urban presence in downtown Reno. Photo: Grant Mudford Shaped by the sun the architecture of the Nevada Museum of Art relates to the unique geologic formations of the mythical Black Rock Desert. The height and volume carefully mediates the transition between its commercial and residential neighbors. In contrast to the angular eastern facade; the handcrafted Anthra-Zinc seam patterns, applied to the warped and curving western facade, exaggerates the form of the building with a unique organic tapestry of shade and shadows. Photo: Grant Mudford Visitors enter the Museum through a compressed wedge of intimately scaled walls inserted under the sloping black ceiling at the first level of public spaces. Photo: Grant Mudford The four-story skylit atrium, carved through the entire building section, is a constantly changing space of light and shadow. Carefully shaped and proportioned wall apertures, and skylights with unique lenses of clear and translucent glazing, act as light magnifiers, refracting the changing light of the seasons. Photo: Grant Mudford Photo: Grant Mudford The galleries are choreographed in sequence to create an exciting visual experiences for the visitors. Photo: Grant Mudford Photo: Grant Mudford Photo: Grant Mudford In the 200-seat auditorium the sculptural walls of grey polished plaster invert the museum’s black abstract form. Photo: Grant Mudford A roof terrace sculpture garden caps the atrium and staircase. Taking over more than half of the roof's surface the space is enclosed by the sloping edges of the building as they sweep up to the sky. The crevices in the wall on the west frame the city, the sky, and the distant views of the Black Rock Desert. Photo: Grant Mudford Photo: Grant Mudford The architecture is enhanced by material articulation and invention of detail, forming a strong link to its geologic and cultural place. Drawing courtesy will bruder+PARTNERS Site Plan Drawing courtesy will bruder+PARTNERS Floor Plans Drawing courtesy will bruder+PARTNERS Section Total area: 58,728 square feet Building area: 60,810 square feet Completed: 2003 Client: Nevada Museum of Art Architect: will bruder+PARTNERS Lead Designer: Will Bruder Project Architect: Rob Gaspard Project Manager: Greg Packham Project Team: Ben Nesbeitt Richard Jensen Jeff Densic Tom Cheney Dominique Price Eric Weber John Puhr November 26, 2007