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.

Exterior view of the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the O’Donnell Athenæum at UT Dallas, showing the arrival and drop-off area from the northwest.
Exterior plaza of the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the O’Donnell Athenæum at UT Dallas, viewed from the north.
Masterplan rendering of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Athenæum at UT Dallas, showing an aerial view of the complex.
Lobby of the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the O’Donnell Athenæum at UT Dallas, featuring a large open space with high ceilings and natural light.
Interior view of a gallery at the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the O’Donnell Athenæum at UT Dallas, featuring displayed artifacts.

K-12 & Higher Ed

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John Shiver

Associate Principal + Director of Education Practice