Walker Art Center Extension

2017 - Minneapolis, MN, USA

Architect: HGA (Joan Soranno, John Cook)

For this project, TM Light had been tasked with designing the lighting for a new museum extension that includes a restaurant, entry lobby, and flexible lounge space. The design team had also been tasked to develop an updated lighting approach for the entire Walker Art Center exterior made up of the original Barnes-design building, the recently added Herzog and De Meuron building, and the new HGA designed extension.

For the new extension, TM Light utilized the architecture itself as a source and illuminating canvas for the interiors. The primary ambient light source is made of a composition of the light from two large skylights, art walls, under- bench lighting, and indirect lighting from the entry vestibule volume. Because of this, the lighting takes on a kind of ethereal quality, floating throughout and simply attaching itself to surfaces that are already meant to receive it; the source of light is completely subdued.