Vesterheim teams up with Snøhetta
Legendary architecture firm to help plan for the future of legendary museum
Photo courtesy of Vesterheim / Snøhetta
Snøhetta’s past projects include the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, Norway, and the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion (shown) and the redesigned public space in Times Square, both in New York City.
Vesterheim
Decorah, Iowa
Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center, is extremely pleased to announce that it has accepted a proposal from the distinguished international architectural firm Snøhetta to develop a master plan and design vision for the museum’s facilities in Decorah, Iowa.
The goal of this master planning project is to create a bold and coherent vision for future museum campus development that builds upon previous work.
With main offices in Oslo, Norway, and New York City, Snøhetta’s past projects include the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, and the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion and the redesigned public space in Times Square, both in New York City.
The master planning process is expected to commence in February 2019 and be completed later that summer. It will consider planning strategies and reconfiguration of the site, as well as the potential of new building additions and possible modification of existing structures.
The master plan will guide future development that supports Vesterheim’s mission to celebrate the living heritage of Norwegian immigrants to America and to share this cultural legacy with people of all backgrounds.
“We at Vesterheim are excited about what this working relationship will achieve to shape the museum and its facilities for the next generation of visitors,” Chris Johnson, Vesterheim’s president/CEO said. “As the process moves forward, you can expect updates as plans develop.”
With world-class exhibitions and 12 historic buildings in Decorah, Iowa, Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, showcases historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts, and explores the American immigrant experience. This national treasure is also a center for folk-art education. For more information on the museum’s exhibitions, classes, events, membership opportunities, and ways to donate, check Vesterheim’s website at vesterheim.org.
To read more about Vesterheim, see also:
This article originally appeared in the November 16, 2018, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
