When architect David Chipperfield of London came to Anchorage last week, he described the expansion of the Anchorage Museum of History and Art in terms of artifacts and landscape. Over the past 20 years, the role of museums has changed from that of a closed-off treasure box to one of a communion with the community, he said.
In designing the proposed $80 million expansion, he is keeping both the objects and cityscape in mind, he said. Now halfway through the concept and design phase, he imagines a 70,000-square-foot addition with four floors, large, reflective windows and an inviting entrance that encourages contact with the community.
About 125 people showed up for the public workshop Tuesday, many of them concerned about keeping the proposed birch forest healthy, the building bright and the exhibits protected from sunshine. One woman even suggested adding peaks to the exterior to mimic the shape of the Chugach Mountains.
Others voiced fears of the proposed box-building shape. Chipperfield defended the rectangular box as a legitimate architectural shape. Over and over, he reminded the audience that exotic shapes can do more harm than good and often are difficult because of budgetary restraints. The museum annex is "not going to be something that does gymnastics in terms of architecture because I don't think that's appropriate," he said.
Museum director Pat Wolfe said that working with amateur architects can tap one's patience. "He's a world-class architect, and there are only so many shapes."
The proposed expansion will be the third since the museum's construction in 1968. The first, in 1975, more than doubled the space to 25,000 square feet. The second growth spurt came with oil money in 1986, when designers added 130,000 square feet, which included the parking garage, two high-ceiling galleries, the Alaska gallery, the atrium and other smaller galleries.
Before the last workshop, the sixth in a series of eight, Chipperfield spent a lot of time working on how to integrate the old building with the new, particularly in regard to preserving the atrium as public space, Wolfe said. People use the atrium for parties, weddings and proms, and Wolfe wants that to continue.
As the museum expands, so does its vision and mission, Wolfe added. "We just have to be in sync. The building, the governance and the staff all have to work together."
The city has talked for years about changing the museum governing structure, but Mayor Mark Begich recently appointed a task force to create a new management body. He envisions something akin to the operation of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, which is privately managed and publicly owned. A single nonprofit organization would provide the museum with clear leadership and streamlined fund-raising skills, Begich said.
"This is about restructuring the museum in the long term," he added. "The same discussions occurred with the PAC. We saw the success of that, so why not move forward?"
Wolfe looks forward to working with a single governing body. Until now, a handful of groups have been involved in the museum's operation and expansion proposal, she said. The Anchorage History and Fine Arts Commission deals with the public part of the budget, while the Anchorage Museum Association and Anchorage Museum Foundation handle private funds. Meanwhile, the Cook Inlet Historical Society, Museum Building Committee, Imaginarium and Joint Planning Committee also chime in.
The decision-making logjam isn't the only reason the public might sense a slowness in the project. The museum's board decided not to put a bond on the ballot last April, which turned out to be a wise decision, said Wolfe. She expects to gear up for next year's ballot soon.
Though designers and architects get paid by the month according to contract, Wolfe thinks working cautiously will save money in the long run.
The next public workshops will take place July 7-8.
Reporter Dawnell Smith can be reached at dsmith@adn.com.
