Unveiling the Future: Dallas Art Museum Picks Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos for Renovation

The Dallas Art Museum (DMA) has exciting news to share. The renowned Madrid-based architectural firm, Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, has been announced as the prestigious international design competition winner, reimagining the Dallas Art Museum. The selection process was highly competitive, with 154 submissions from architects and designers worldwide.
Among the contenders were renowned names in the industry, including David Chipperfield Architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Johnston Marklee, Michael Maltzan Architecture, and Weiss/Manfredi. The winning proposal, described by the architects as a “reflection of the original building, transforming the relationship between art, landscape, and community into a balance of memory and innovation,” stood out for its poetic sensibility and dynamic, sustainable design strategy.

Reimagining Dallas Art Museum

Gowri N. Sharma, President of the DMA’s Board of Trustees, and Jeffrey S. Ellerman, Chairman of the Board, expressed their enthusiasm for the winning concept design. They praised it for respecting the original intentions of the DMA’s founding architect, Edward Larrabee Barnes while preparing the museum to embrace its role as a 21st-century institution. The project aims to articulate DMA’s dynamic and diverse programming, inviting art enthusiasts from all walks of life to join their vibrant art community.

The jury lauded Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos’ solution for addressing several critical aspects of the redesign while preserving the essence of the existing building. The Dallas Art Museum campus, originally designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, was once surrounded by empty lots and warehouses. However, the neighborhood has undergone significant transformation since its opening in 1984, with the expansion of the Arts District, the addition of Klyde Warren Park to the north, and the construction of new residences and offices. Reimagining the Dallas Art Museum competition aimed to enhance the museum’s grounds, increase physical visibility and transparency, and make the DMA more accessible and welcoming.

The architects’ vision centers around enhancing the interior street that defines the central axis of the Dallas Art Museum. By introducing natural light from above and rethinking the stepped ground floor ramp, they aim to increase accessibility and foster visual connections throughout the building. Additionally, the design streamlines visitor circulation by unifying the vertical circulation nodes and connecting them to the interior street, creating a more intuitive and engaging experience for visitors.

Recognizing the need for additional gallery space, Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos has proposed a floating square extension on the roof, providing a flexible area for displaying contemporary art. This new addition also includes an event space, a restaurant, and a roof terrace offering stunning views of Klyde Warren Park. To enhance visibility and encourage exploration of the museum campus, dynamic façades will be introduced on the south and north sides of the building. Moreover, educational and performance spaces will be thoughtfully arranged along Harwood Street to inspire curiosity and promote public space activation.

Sustainability has been a core consideration in the design process. The architectural team has retained much of the original building, thereby minimizing the additional carbon emissions of new construction. The proposal also includes innovative features such as rainfall collection, bioclimatic design principles, photovoltaics, and geothermal energy to generate electricity.
The winning architects, Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano, are renowned for their dynamic and innovative façades in projects like the Contemporary Art Centre in Córdoba and the Montblanc Haus in Hamburg. Their exceptional work has earned them prestigious accolades, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Hannes Meyer Prize, the Alvar Aalto Medal, and the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts from the Government of Spain.

Fuensanta Nieto, Enrique Sobejano . © Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos

Excitement is building as the Dallas Art Museum looks forward to unveiling the transformational changes proposed by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos. Art lovers and visitors alike will soon have the opportunity to witness the visionary design that blends the museum’s rich history with a forward-looking approach.
As the Dallas Art Museum campus evolves, it will serve as a beacon, inviting people from near and far to immerse themselves in the art world and become part of the vibrant art community that defines it. The winning concept design is now available for viewing in a free presentation on Mezzanine Level 2 at the DMA through the Fall and on the competition website.