Morphosis to Design Masterplan for Museum of Texas Tech University
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Global architecture and design firm Morphosis has announced its selection by Texas Tech University and the Museum of Texas Tech University to develop the planning and design of a visionary expansion to the current museum that would create a new model for univ
Morphosis to Design Masterplan for Museum of Texas Tech University
Global architecture and design firm Morphosis has announced its selection by Texas Tech University and the Museum of Texas Tech University to develop the planning and design of a visionary expansion to the current museum that would create a new model for university-community engagement.The vision for the multidisciplinary university museum extension is to span natural history, the STEM disciplines, health sciences, humanities, and the arts.“Texas Tech is calling the new project the University of Texas Tech, a name which reflects a universal disciplinary scope of research and creativity at the university in order to advance knowledge, student education, and community engagement,” says Morphosis.The University of Texas Tech will create a dynamic interdisciplinary space dedicated to fostering ideas and exchanging cultural experiences that bring together the Museum’s diverse collection of eight million objects with the entire range of research and academic disciplines of the University.Encompassing 40,000 square feet of flexible gallery space, the project will include the first large traveling exhibition gallery capable of housing major blockbuster shows in West Texas; a new type of Community Engagement Center that will give faculty, staff, and students an unprecedented public face; and integral new components to the Natural Science Research Laboratory, including laboratories, work areas, and collection storage facilities.Morphosis founder and design director Thom Mayne says: “We are pleased to partner with Texas Tech at the outset of this project to shape a masterplan that engages with the natural, social, and built environments of Texas Tech University and allows for the design of the new space to foster the interdisciplinary vision for the ‘Universiteum.’”“We are thrilled by the opportunity to design a masterplan for the Museum of Texas Tech University that pushes the boundaries of a traditional university museum, offering future visitors expanded spaces that will actively connect them with the academic discoveries generated by each college on campus,” says Project Principal Arne Emerson.“My staff and I look forward to working with Thom Mayne, Morphosis, and their partners in refining the vision of the Universiteum and how it can translate into a world-leading example of sustainable public architecture and landscape,” said Gary Morgan, executive director of the Museum of Texas Tech University.“This is a project that could only happen at a progressive, research-intensive university committed to community engagement. It would build on the strengths of the Museum of Texas Tech University, and on the strengths of the university, to create something that is globally unique. We believe Morphosis is the perfect partner to transform a bold vision into an equally bold reality,” Morgan adds.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more
