UT Dallas – Arts and Performance Complex – Phase 1 Athenæum

Dallas, Texas

After a successful teaming experience working on the Perot Museum in Dallas, GFF partnered with Morphosis again as the Local Architect on a master planning process for the University of Texas at Dallas. This master plan envisioned a welcoming cultural complex for the campus, The Athenæum was conceived as a collection of arts and performance focused buildings that would bring world-class arts facilities to the campus, and more importantly, create an inviting series of spaces where students and the community at large could come together.

Following the master planning process, Phase 1 of the Athenæum commenced design. Phase 1 consists of a two-story museum building, designed with 55,000 SF of program that houses gallery space for The Crow Museum of Asian Art, as well as the Brettell Reading Room, event spaces, a state-of-the-art conservation lab, seminar rooms, collection storage, offices, and an object study room. A sizable covered outdoor space created by the second story overhang dramatic provides an additional 12,000 SF of programmable outdoor space.

GFF has continued to work with Morphosis as the Local Architect, advising on regional practices, assisting in design exercises and research, and providing on-site representation during design and construction.

Public plaza at UT Dallas Athenaeum Phase 1, designed for community engagement and cultural events.
Architectural detail of the Athenaeum’s textured exterior panels, designed for the UT Dallas Arts and Performance Complex.
Street-facing façade of UT Dallas Athenaeum Phase 1, a contemporary museum and arts center.
Exterior of the UT Dallas Athenaeum Phase 1, a cantilevered museum building designed for arts and performance.
Skylit circulation space in UT Dallas Athenaeum, featuring a sculptural stairway.
Interior circulation space in UT Dallas Athenaeum, featuring a sculpture and skylit architecture.
Exhibition gallery in UT Dallas Athenaeum Phase 1, displaying Asian artifacts in a museum setting.
Painting exhibition in the UT Dallas Athenaeum, featuring modern and historical works.
Brettell Reading Room in UT Dallas Athenaeum, a research library for arts and humanities.

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John Shiver

Associate Principal + Director of Education Practice