Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Designed to blur the line between art and nature, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invites visitors to experience its collection through both world-class galleries and thoughtfully integrated landscapes. Opened in 2011, the museum is a passion project of the Walton family. A team of top experts – including world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and Howell & Vancuren, now part of Wallace Design Collective – was assembled to create a space worthy of housing five centuries of American masterworks, from the Colonial era to contemporary art, including Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter and Andy Warhol’s Coca-Cola.

Part of Crystal Bridges’ mission is to unite art with the beauty of nature. Howell & Vancuren embraced this mandate, creating an environment where the museum experience extends beyond the galleries. Buildings are woven seamlessly into the natural landscape, giving the impression they have organically grown alongside existing trees and shrubs. Floor-to-ceiling glass in many galleries strengthens the visual connection between the artwork and the surrounding site.

The outdoor experience continues with strategically placed sculptures, concrete sidewalks and rustic paths that connect visitors to streams, waterfalls and open-air exhibits. The valley setting accommodates a variety of spaces, from large gathering areas to intimate contemplative spots, with long vistas and framed views enhancing the visitor experience. An extensive irrigation system sustains the diverse plantings, while site runoff and two on-site wells feed lakes formed by weirs along Town Branch Creek, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes by providing water for landscape irrigation.

photography: ©Timothy Hursley