Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth: A Homage to 20th Century Architecture
A modern art museum composed of a series of glass-encased concrete boxes set upon a reflecting pool. The design responds respectfully to its context.
1 – Respecting the Context
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
The city of Fort Worth, Texas, still exuding the air of the Old West. The project was built in the cultural district located across the Trinity River from the city center, on a site pulled away from the busy intersection to the east.
The entire site has been planted with trees and features a large reflecting pool. The museum was envisioned as a place where people can escape from the hot, dry Texas climate and relax surrounded by trees and water.
The renowned Kimbell Art Museum, a modern masterpiece designed by American architect Louis Kahn, stands next door to the west.
Ando sought to create a new museum that draws on the clarity and power of simplicity demonstrated by Kahn’s architecture.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
As a result, the completed building with its row of simple rectangular volumes not only displays the traits of Ando’s architecture that skillfully combines clean geometries to create rich spaces; it also establishes a sense of continuity with the adjacent museum.
2 – Concrete Encased in Glass
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
Even while employing the familiar building materials of concrete and glass, Ando also sought to find new possibilities for the materials.
This led to his idea to create exhibition rooms composed as concrete boxes encased with glass skins.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
The concrete augments the transparency of the glass, and the glass softens the hard expression of the concrete by reflecting the shimmering water and light.
The combination of concrete boxes wrapped in glass skins marries strength with delicacy. It reappears in Ando’s later designs for museums both in and outside Japan.
The floors are almost flush with the water surface, and the aluminum window frames almost touch the pool. These carefully designed details help create the appearance of glass boxes floating on water.
The concrete walls of the galleries shelter the artwork from the harsh Texas sun.
The glass skin helps to create a safe environment for displaying artwork by preventing outdoor air from directly entering the museum.
The simple structure contains a variety of spaces. The gaps between the concrete and glass form enclosed porch-like areas where visitors can take in the natural light and shimmering water.
The Fort Worth skyline can be seen beyond the Y-shaped columns supporting the roof.
3 – Activating the Community through Art
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
The grand staircase leading up from the lobby. The natural light brought in from above softly illuminates the space, guiding visitors to the exhibition rooms.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
The series of galleries are connected visually across the double-height spaces. The exhibition spaces offer a variety of sights, not only owing to the double membrane of concrete and glass, but also because of the way they unfold three-dimensionally.
The lighting conditions can be tailored for each piece of art using the artificial lights and controlled natural light brought in through skylights and clerestory windows.
This daylighting strategy also speaks to Ando’s respect for the Kimbell Art Museum.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
The entrance hall is adjoined by a restaurant, a café, and an auditorium, making it a space that can accommodate not only art exhibits but also various community activities and social functions.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
The outdoor plaza and reflecting pool are also used as venues for concerts and open-air festivals organized for local residents, just as Ando must have hoped when he envisioned creating an open museum that contributes to its community.
It is my hope that this place will serve to enhance the imaginative powers of people––Tadao Ando
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2002) by Tadao AndoOriginal Source: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
Text：Shinichi Kawakatsu
Editor：Ryusuke Wada
Direction：neucitora
Supervision：Tadao Ando Architect & Associates
