The Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture is the oldest public museum in Washington State with a collection of over 18 million artifacts and specimens, ranging from totem poles and gemstones to dinosaur fossils. The problem was the visitors never got to experience the artifacts because they were hidden behind concrete walls in research labs. So, when the Burke received funding for a new building a bold new idea was presented: what if the museum was turned “inside out”? The result was a one-of-a-kind museum experience, but the team faced serious challenges getting the project over the finish line.
Architect: Olson Kundig
General Contractors: Skanska
Cladding Installer: Sessler, Inc