Paintings Conservation Studio, Dallas Museum of Art

Prominently located at the museum’s southeast corner, the DMA’s new paintings conservation studio and gallery were jointly conceived to engage and enlighten the visiting public while significantly expanding the role of conservation. Surrounded by glass on three sides, the conservation studio is readily visible from outside and from the adjacent conservation-themed gallery and sculpture terrace. Visitors can gaze in any time to see what paintings are being examined, analyzed, and treated. The conservators roll away the glass doors to invite visitors to scheduled sessions about conservation. New skylights bring in diffused north light. The x-radiography suite also serves as a photography studio and spray booth. Paintings conservation now informs curatorial research and exhibition planning in numerous ways that were simply not possible before.

Client: Dallas Museum of Art (Mark Leonard, Tamara Wootton-Forsyth, John Claire, Gabriela Truly)
Design Team: Edward Gormley, Jessica Russell, Campos Engineering (MEP) & BBD (Structural)
Builder: Balfour Beatty
Photographer: Amy Barkow