海角视频

Nestled in the serene landscape of Bentonville, Arkansas, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of art, nature, and innovative architecture. 

海角视频, in collaboration with , has been instrumental in realizing the vision for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. This extraordinary facility is designed to blend seamlessly with its natural environment, featuring seven pavilions connected by graceful floating bridges over two scenic ponds.

Hear from the project director on the expansion, Paul Richardson on this unique cultural institution’s integration with nature, use of locally sourced materials like timber, and our long-term relationship with the client that has driven the project’s success. Discover how advanced engineering techniques have shaped this architectural masterpiece, ensuring it remains a cultural landmark for generations to come.

Since its grand opening in 2011, the museum has drawn visitors from around the world, captivated by its unique design and serene setting. At the heart of this architectural marvel is 海角视频, whose integrated engineering and design services have been instrumental in bringing the museum’s vision to life. The original project, designed by Safdie Associates and funded by the Walton Family Foundation, features seven concrete, glass, and wood pavilions set along a stream bed. Central to the 100,000ft2 museum are three bridge-like structures that span the stream, creating two scenic ponds. These structures, formed by hanging cables and glued laminated pine timbers (glulam) arches, presented significant engineering challenges that 海角视频 expertly navigated, ensuring the seamless integration of nature and architecture.

As the museum undergoes a major expansion set to open in 2026, 海角视频’s expertise continues to play a crucial role in enhancing and extending this cultural landmark. The expansion, designed by Safdie Architects in collaboration with Coen+Partners Landscape Architects and LAM, will increase the museum’s size by 50%, adding nearly 100,000ft2 to the existing facility. This new phase will house additional galleries, educational facilities, event spaces, and a caf茅, further enriching the visitor experience. 海角视频’s multidisciplinary consultancy, including MEP, structural engineering, security, IT, audio-visual technology, and facade engineering, ensures that the new structures blend seamlessly with the existing pavilions while maintaining the deep connection between art, architecture, and nature. The use of regional materials, such as timber and fieldstone, celebrates the region’s craft traditions and underscores the museum’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

海角视频’s history with Crystal Bridges

How did 海角视频 first get involved on the original Crystal Bridges project and what is our scope of work on the ongoing expansion?

Paul Richardson: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art was originally completed in 2011. 海角视频 had been brought on board as trusted engineers, handling structural, MEP and facade engineering as well as BIM and sustainability services. This project was groundbreaking at the time and made a significant impact on the art world. Today, Crystal Bridges is well-established, well-loved, and well-used cultural institution. Because of its draw, the museum was in need of an expansion to accommodate the volume of visitors.

The expansion adds about 100,000 ft2, two-thirds the size of the original building, including two major additional galleries, one of which is the size of a football field. This expansion reflects the success of the original building. Safdie Architects was again brought on board to ensure a seamless extension, following and building upon the themes of the original design.

The new building maintains the architectural profiles, shapes, forms, and massing of the original, while providing all the necessary space for the museum’s needs. We also made modifications to the original building, improving the entrance, and enhancing connectivity to the museum store, updating the museum, and adding a fabric tensile structure for an external auditorium to provide shading.

It’s been a pleasure to work on such a beautiful building and contribute to its stunning architecture. Working with the wider design team on this project has been an incredible experience, and we are excited to continue creating spaces that inspire and captivate.

What has it meant for the team to work on the expansion of this project after completing the original project over a decade ago?

The excitement is palpable because when you’re involved in a project – especially one that is already existing – you want the expansion to be loved and enjoyed as much the original museum has been. Whenever I visit the site, it’s like being a kid in a sweet shop. It’s truly a pleasure and a privilege to work on something so cherished and beautiful, and to contribute to increasing everyone’s appreciation of it.

With the same team on board, we were able to hit the ground running. We understand how the museum performs, what vision they have for its future, and we have built a strong relationship with them. We can reflect on how it was on day one and assess how it has evolved over the past 10 years. This insight helps us translate the museum’s desires to improve the functionality of the new building.

This process has been immensely enjoyable and has greatly facilitated our understanding of the museum’s needs. Being attuned to their requirements enables us to truly grasp their desires. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the dedicated individuals who manage the museum; their insights have been invaluable throughout this journey.

Integrating efficiency and aesthetics at Crystal Bridges

The entire project has been designed with nature in mind, situated in a creek surrounded by beautiful landscaping. The design aims to be in harmony with its surroundings. Our approach is driven by a desire to be efficient, regardless of certification or price. Efficient buildings have lower ongoing capital and operational costs, and as engineers, we strive to get the best value out of buildings, whether in construction or operation.

The use of mass timber in the roofs is a positive aspect, covering about half of the roofs. We incorporate as much recycled material into our concrete as possible and consider the type of glass used to ensure efficiency while maintaining the original design.

Working with the client and Safdie Architects

What are the key factors in maintaining a successful long-term client relationship on large-scale projects like this?

Delivering on budget and ensuring a successful project is crucial. If the building, like the museum, doesn’t perform well, clients won’t return. Successful projects come from good design teams that collaborate well and support a clear vision. 海角视频 excels by providing integrated design, considering how systems and structure impact the architecture.

Both the expansion and the original building required thoughtful structural, MEP and facade design. We navigated existing conditions and met the vision’s aspirations with precise engineering. Our approach of offering alternatives and being proactive is highly valued.

The museum and Safdie Architects returned to us for the expansion because they knew we could deliver. We understand the importance of performance, especially in museum exhibit spaces where humidity control is crucial. We integrate systems seamlessly within the architecture, creating flexible spaces that enhance the artwork.

The best projects come from a combination of personalities, key approaches, experience, and knowledge. When these elements are in place, relationships become long-standing because people enjoy working with you. We work with talented engineers and draw on global experience to bring the best practices to the project. We genuinely aim to deliver the best.