Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos Chosen to Redesign Dallas Museum of Art with Striking Floating Square Addition

By:

In a major architectural triumph, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) has unveiled its selection of Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos (NSA), a distinguished Spanish architectural firm, to craft a cutting-edge transformation for the museum. The project’s focal point will be a breathtaking “dramatic floating square extension,” catapulting the institution into a new era of innovation and artistry.

After an intense six-month international competition, which drew a remarkable 154 entries from across the globe, Madrid-based studio NSA, led by the accomplished architects Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano, emerged as the triumphant design visionaries. The duo’s proposal epitomizes a harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity, poised to revolutionize the connection between art, environment, and community.

The heart of NSA’s concept rests upon the revival of the original structure conceived by American architect Edward Larrabee Barnes in 1984. Their ingenious design, realized through monolithic square volumes, pays homage to the building’s history while propelling it into a vibrant future. A crowning achievement of their vision is the addition of an ethereal contemporary art gallery, gracefully poised on the roof like a floating marvel.

With meticulous attention to detail, the new design redefines the museum’s external expression of art. The exterior LED-generated artwork, seamlessly integrated into a perforated surface, becomes a conduit for artistic communication, bridging the gap between the museum’s interior and the world beyond. Passersby are treated to enchanting glimpses of the art within, thanks to the transparent glazing along the north facade overlooking Klyde Warren Park and the Harwood Street facades at street level.