Neutelings Riedijk Architects Wins Cincinnati Art Museum Commission

This is firm's first commission in the United States.

by Laura B. Weiss -- Interior Design, 10/5/2007

The Cincinnati Art Museum has selected Neutelings Riedijk Architects, based in Rotterdam, to redesign and expand its current facilities located in Cincinnati’s Eden Park. The commission--bestowed in part due to the architecture firm's track record of success in restoring historic buildings across Europe, according to the museum--is Neutelings Riedijk’s first in the United States.

Founded in 1881, the Cincinnati Art Museum boasts more than 60,000 works, showcased in collections and operations spread across seven buildings, designed by a variety of architects over the years. With the new design, the museum will be able to display more of its permanent collection, which includes masterpieces spanning the centuries, from Rubens to Rothko. There will also be more space for educational and public programs.

Though a budget has not yet been finalized and the work will proceed in phases, the project is expected to add at least 50,000 square feet of new space. Nearly all the existing structures will be renovated. The design firm is developing a master plan to be completed in early 2008.

"We were impressed with Neutelings Riedijk's inventive ideas, which will allow us to intelligently reuse space and spectacularly reimagine our facility," says Aaron Betsky, the museum’s director.

Among Neutelings Riedijk’s recent works are: The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, the STUK Performing Arts Center in Belgium, and the opera house Kolizej Centre in Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Images copyright Neutelings Riedijk Architects. Photo top: Daria Scagliola and Stijn Brakkee. Photo bottom: Jeroen Musch.