shigeru ban: aspen art museum nearing completion

shigeru ban architects: aspen art museum nearing completion
architectural rendering of the new exterior of the aspen art museum
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects

the shigeru ban-designed ‘aspen art museum‘ (AAM) is set to open in a year’s time, on august 9th, 2014. currently under construction, the scheme for the 30,000 sqf cultural centre stands an several architectural elements. visitors are presented with art immediately upon passing through the entry facade which is shaded by a wooden open-weave screen on two sides and a glass curtain wall. this external veil will give the building a distinct look, and reveal the structure and gallery spaces within from the outside. the grid-like wall will allow light to filter through its openings, casting shadows onto the museum’s corridor, entry spaces and grand staircase, which provides exterior access to the public roof as well as each of the three gallery levels. an 8foot by 12 foot glass reception elevator (aka the ‘moving room’), is set to animate the northeast corner of the building, whereby patrons will be able to ascend from the entry to the rooftop sculpture garden which will be the only public rooftop space in aspen, with a triangular wooden structure protecting one section of it, while the remainder is left as an exposed terrace. to divide the spaces, transparent partitions will allow natural light to reach deep into the galleries along with a roof structure with a series skylights covering 50 percent of the building. daylight penetrating the canopy will be transmitted through glass floors to the main gallery on the ground level.

update:
we have updated the original article from november 29th, 2011 – below, see images, as well as videos documenting the construction progress of the museum as it nears its completion.

architectural rendering of the main entrance on east hyman avenue in the town’s downtown core
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects

visitors are greeted in the reception area upon entering the museum
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects

a glass elevator is available for navigating the building and offers views of aspen as well as the building’s interior
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects

an impressive interior/exterior stairway to access the roof deck sculpture garden
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects

the versatile stairway can be configured to display various kinds of art
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects

the roof deck offers shaded and full-sun viewing of the sculpture garden and surroundings
image courtesy of aspen art museum and shigeru ban architects