The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Conn., was unveiled recently after a comprehensive renewal and expansion featuring a design rooted in the geological features of the site and its surroundings.
Led by EskewDumezRipple (EDR), the project includes the renovation of the existing 3,019 m2 (32,500 sf) structure, with an additional 3,901-m2 (42,000-sf) wing, doubling the museum’s space and providing improved visitor experiences for its growing collection.
The team drew inspiration from the surrounding regional landscape. This includes the stone quarries, which became the precept from which to carve the monolithic massing of the building, and the fences built by New England farmers, which inspired them to create voids in the facade to filter light into the interior. By combining these local influences, the design creates a textured facade that plays with light and shadow, offering visual effects throughout the day and night.
The redesign reorients the entrance to face the adjacent Bruce Park, offering visitors an immersive landscape experience before entering the museum. To integrate the addition with the existing house, the team created a courtyard space between the two structures, extending the park into the museum’s footprint.
The project—both an anthropological study and an architectural endeavor—delved into the museum’s history, from its origins in Robert Bruce’s former house built in 1853 to its modern role in public education and outreach.
The new spaces, such as the double-height lobby, cafe, and gift shop blend into an open public space. The new lecture hall has become a center for community programming, gatherings, and public events, and additional changing and permanent galleries allow the museum to host various exhibitions. The museum also embraces sustainable practices to minimize its environmental impact and ensure long-term resilience with energy-efficient air handling units and a dehumidification system.
