The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art International Design Competition

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art International Design Competition – Creating a Museum for All – is a global open call for an outstanding architect-led multi-disciplinary team to design a world-class addition for one of the United States’ finest art museums.

This is a two-stage international design competition comprising an open call for submissions – including team composition, relevant experience, company details, and an initial project reaction – followed by a design stage for a shortlist of up to five competitors.

Teams

The competition warmly welcomes US, international, emerging and established studios.

The museum is seeking an integrated multi-disciplinary design team (led by an architect) capable of providing the full range of professional input and services for the project, and including:

• Lead Design Architect
• Landscape Architect
• Engineering disciplines, including structural, services and sustainability
• Heritage advisor, if central to the team’s approach 

Teams may include additional consultants deemed necessary to the design approach if required.

At stage two, teams may propose additional consultants to enhance their design concept including:

• Exhibition Designer
• Lighting Designer
• Catering Specialist
• Access Consultant

Please note: An Owner’s Representative for cost consultancy and project management services related to this project will be procured separately by the client and do not form part of this procurement process. Competitors will be expected to independently validate their cost assumptions at the second stage.

While the competition is open to all architects, including those registered in the State of Missouri, the role of the Architect of Record (AoR)/state-registered Executive Architect will be decided upon later in the process. The museum will determine the requirements for the AoR once the winning team is selected and will carry out a separate selection process for local firms. The museum is, therefore, expressly discouraging contact with potential firms for this role during the competition process. 

Stage One

The first stage of the competition is an open call for submissions – a Request for Qualifications – including proposed team composition, relevant experience, company details, and an initial reaction to the project aims and objectives. No design submission will be required at stage one.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Nelson-Atkins and their advisors, including MRC. All competitors (successful and unsuccessful) will be notified of the outcome of the first stage.

Stage Two

A shortlist of up to five teams will be selected to compete at stage two and prepare concept designs. These finalists will receive a detailed program and will be invited to attend a site visit and briefing workshop. A virtual design workshop will be held halfway through the design period. All finalists will participate in a site visit December 11–13, 2024, that includes public engagement sessions as part of the competition design process.

The stage two submission requirements are anticipated to include presentation boards, a design portfolio, a technical proposal (including an area schedule and scaled drawings), a physical model, a video presentation, and a commercial proposal.

An exhibition of the finalist concept designs will be held at the museum and the schemes will also be available to view online, giving the community an opportunity to view the submissions and give their feedback.

Competitors will present to the Architect Selection Committee, who will interview each team and recommend a winner to the Board for final approval.

Each of the five finalist teams will receive a competition fee of $75,000 at the conclusion of the process.

Anticipated Timeline

Website link: https://competitions.malcolmreading.com/nelson-atkins/competition

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