A fortress-like structure has been erected in the heart of Princeton University's picturesque campus in New Jersey. The imposing concrete bunker, with its serrated façade and cyclopean window, appears to be a secure storage facility from the outside. However, it houses the university's remarkable art collection, boasting over 117,000 objects spanning centuries and mediums.
The controversy surrounding architect David Adjaye has seemingly had no lasting impact on his legacy in Princeton. The museum, which was under construction when three women accused Adjaye of sexual assault and harassment, is set to open its doors on Halloween. While the allegations were never substantiated, Adjaye's reputation took a hit, with numerous projects being cancelled.
In contrast, the new Princeton University Art Museum has emerged as a masterpiece in its own right. Under the guidance of Marc McQuade, Erin Flynn, and Ron McCoy, who led the project after Adjaye stepped down, the museum has been transformed into a place of rare substance and craftsmanship. The result is a complex that revels in its theatrical spatial effects and sensuous material details.
As visitors approach the building, they are struck by the subtle changes in scale and texture as they move from ground level to higher elevations. The grand hall, with its massive concrete buttresses and wooden glulam beams, has echoes of Louis Kahn's Yale Center for British Art but is beefed up to create a rugged, geological quality.
Inside, the galleries are a symphony of color and space, each one cleverly designed to avoid the pitfalls of traditional white cube displays. The use of color as a way to grapple with design flaws in the previous building is a bold move, resulting in an immersive experience that invites visitors to wander at will.
The study rooms and seating nooks built into the walls offer respite from the main galleries, while the terracing provides a venue for outdoor events. The impressive quality of construction is a testament to the client's exacting standards and the contractor's precision.
In contrast to Adjaye's institutional projects, which have often prioritized aesthetics over substance, this museum demonstrates a commitment to creating a truly exceptional space. As Steward notes, "We want people to get productively lost," highlighting the importance of accidental encounters and the creation of a welcoming atmosphere.
The controversy surrounding architect David Adjaye has seemingly had no lasting impact on his legacy in Princeton. The museum, which was under construction when three women accused Adjaye of sexual assault and harassment, is set to open its doors on Halloween. While the allegations were never substantiated, Adjaye's reputation took a hit, with numerous projects being cancelled.
In contrast, the new Princeton University Art Museum has emerged as a masterpiece in its own right. Under the guidance of Marc McQuade, Erin Flynn, and Ron McCoy, who led the project after Adjaye stepped down, the museum has been transformed into a place of rare substance and craftsmanship. The result is a complex that revels in its theatrical spatial effects and sensuous material details.
As visitors approach the building, they are struck by the subtle changes in scale and texture as they move from ground level to higher elevations. The grand hall, with its massive concrete buttresses and wooden glulam beams, has echoes of Louis Kahn's Yale Center for British Art but is beefed up to create a rugged, geological quality.
Inside, the galleries are a symphony of color and space, each one cleverly designed to avoid the pitfalls of traditional white cube displays. The use of color as a way to grapple with design flaws in the previous building is a bold move, resulting in an immersive experience that invites visitors to wander at will.
The study rooms and seating nooks built into the walls offer respite from the main galleries, while the terracing provides a venue for outdoor events. The impressive quality of construction is a testament to the client's exacting standards and the contractor's precision.
In contrast to Adjaye's institutional projects, which have often prioritized aesthetics over substance, this museum demonstrates a commitment to creating a truly exceptional space. As Steward notes, "We want people to get productively lost," highlighting the importance of accidental encounters and the creation of a welcoming atmosphere.
just thought about it, 70% of visitors who walked into the old adjaye museum didn't make it past the first floor 
. but with the new design, i'm guessing they'll spend an avg of 2 hours exploring the galleries 
. meanwhile, google analytics shows that 80% of online traffic to the site comes from art enthusiasts, who are willing to pay top dollar for exclusive events 
. it's all about creating a memorable experience, folks! 
and with the new museum, they're expecting a 25% increase in school groups visiting the site by 2026 
. the grand hall is even being designed to accommodate up to 500 people for events 
. pretty impressive, right?
did you know that museums in the US see an avg of 1.5 million visitors per year? 
and with this new design, princeton is poised to join the ranks of top-tier institutions like the met and the moca 
.
! I mean, who would've thought that something as imposing as a concrete bunker could be turned into a beautiful work of art? The way they've incorporated all these different textures and colors, it's like a symphony of sensations. And the fact that they've avoided those boring white cube galleries is just genius 
. I love how you can just wander around and get lost in the space - it's so inviting! And the study rooms and seating nooks are such a lovely touch. It's clear that these architects and designers really listened to what people wanted from an art museum experience 
, but with more texture and depth. I love how the architects have incorporated natural light and materials to create an immersive experience, it's not just about lookin' at art, you can feel the energy and history 
. And the way they've used color to overcome design flaws in the previous build is pure genius 
! The result is this massive concrete bunker that's actually a masterpiece, not just some institutional project tryin' to check off boxes 
. I'm already dyin' to visit and get productively lost in this amazing space 
. I mean, think about it, they had to start over after all those allegations against Adjaye, but now he's just conveniently out of the picture? It's like they wanted a fresh slate. And have you seen the pics of the inside? It's like they took all the best parts from other architects and mashed them together. Louis Kahn vibes, yeah okay... but what about the real mastermind behind this whole thing? 
I'm not buying it just because they say it's "a masterpiece" 
First, we find out that some women accused him of misconduct and then...poof! The project just gets finished with new architects at the helm. It feels like they were trying to sweep it under the rug. 
And yet, the museum itself is just so beautifully done, it's hard not to love it even if you're skeptical about the whole situation. I guess what I'm trying to say is, can we separate the artist from the art? 
... no, wait, that sounds too simplistic, and now I'm questioning my own opinion 
cant wait to see how it gets used for outdoor events 
. I mean, I can imagine how frustrating it must have been for them after David Adjaye’s thing came out 
, but they totally redeemed themselves by making this masterpiece 
. I love that they included study rooms and seating areas too, it makes the whole space feel super welcoming 
. I mean, who knew that his 'reputation hit' would actually be a blessing in disguise? 
.
. And I love that they didn't follow the traditional white cube gallery setup - it's like they wanted people to get lost in the art (in the best possible way, of course) 
. I'm definitely adding this place to my bucket list - who's with me?!
. The fact that it's a masterclass in spatial effects and material details is giving me life 
. I love how they've avoided those boring white cube galleries and instead created an immersive experience that makes you wanna wander around forever 
!
. I mean, sure, there was some drama with the architect and all that, but this museum is totally worth it 
. It's like they've taken every great design element and mashed them together to create something completely new and amazing 
... seems kinda dark given the allegations surrounding David Adjaye 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, the new museum looks amazeballs 
. But what's with the dramatic change from the outside? It's like they're trying to make a statement or something... are we supposed to be shocked by its presence on campus? 
. But what about accessibility? Are all the galleries wheelchair-friendly? We should definitely check that out 
. Guess you could say it's a bit of a mixed bag... some love for the art, some frustration with the circumstances 
. What do you guys think?
. And what's with the big emphasis on natural materials and design flaws? Sounds like an excuse to us over here 
.