The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) has recently opened to the public after a $155 million renovation and extension project. Studio Gang, the architecture firm behind the project, aimed to unify the eight separate buildings that were added over the museum’s 87-year history. They also restored the original Art Deco facade and created a central space filled with natural light.
The interior design is subtle yet elegant, with polished concrete floors and attractive timber and stone ceilings. The museum’s sustainability has been recognized with the LEED Silver green building standard, which was achieved by reusing as much of the existing materials as possible, including the concrete and steel foundations, masonry, precast concrete, and metal facade sections.
Also read The Yichang Grand Theater is Alien spaceship inspired by Open Architecture
One of the most notable features of the AMFA is its innovative pleated roof, which helps reduce energy use by shading the interior from solar heat gain. The roof also directs rainwater to gardens in and around the museum and stores it for irrigation use. The building’s underfloor radiant heating and cooling system ensures a comfortable temperature throughout the year. In addition, the landscaping has been carefully planned to include native plants and trees, such as magnolia groves, to enhance the site’s natural beauty.
