The
Baltimore Museum of Art has chosen
Ziger/Snead to design its biggest capital project in its history, a $24 million renovation to be completed in 2014.
A total of 11 architecture firms competed for the project, of which the BMA selected five for its short list. Those firms were Ayers Saint Gross, Design Collective, Inc,. GWWO Inc./Architects, Ziger/Snead, and RTKL Associates Inc.
The BMA chose Ziger/Snead based on its clarity of vision and design and their success in renovating both historic and contemporary buildings. Its projects include the Maryland Institute College of Art Brown Center and the Frederick Douglas-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum.
The BMA renovation is expected to create 185 construction and other jobs.
The renovation will include upgrades to visitor amenities, infrastructure improvements, and better displays of the museum's 90,000 works of art. Two new roofs and a building automation system to improve care of the museum's art are part of the upgrades.
The project will be funded in part by a $10 million multi-year commitment from the state and $2.5 million in bonds from Baltimore City.
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Anne Mannix, BMA