Bruce Museum / EskewDumezRipple

Architects: EskewDumezRipple
Area: 74,500 ft²
Photographs: Tim Hursley, Richard Barnes, Michael Biondo
Main Contractor: Turner Construction
Geotechnical Engineer: Melick-Tully and Associates
Structural Engineering: Guy Nordenson and Associates
Landscape Design: Reed Hilderbrand
Lighting Design: Fisher Marantz Stone
Principal in Charge: Steve Dumez, FAIA
Design Principal: Noah Marble, AIA
Project Manager: Shawn Preau, AIA
Project Architects: Haley Allen, AIA; Javier Marcano, AIA
Team Members: Vanessa Smith-Torres, AIA; Kyle Digby, AIA; Sam Levison, AIA; Mark Thorburn, AIA; Max Katz, AIA; Guan Wang
MEP Engineering: Altieri
Civil Engineering: Redniss & Mead
Acoustical Engineer: Jaffe Holden
Theatrical/AV: Jaffe Holden
Security: Ducibella Venter Santore
Food Service: Futch Design Associates
Museum Programming: M. Goodwin Museum Planning
Envelope Consultant: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Cost Estimating: Stuart-Lynn Company; Becker Frondorf
Code Consultant: Bruce J. Spiewak, Consulting Architect
Owner’s Representative: Stone Harbor Land Company
Commissioning: The Stone House Group
City: Greenwich
Country: United States

The Bruce Museum, redesigned by EskewDumezRipple in Greenwich, Connecticut, completed a significant renovation and expansion project to redefine its role as a cultural and educational hub. The effort doubled the facility’s size to 74,500 ft², introducing a 42,000 ft² addition featuring new galleries, a lecture hall, and public spaces. A reoriented entrance enhances access and connects with the surrounding Bruce Park, while a stone-and-glass façade inspired by Connecticut’s geology incorporates natural daylight. The redesign supports diverse exhibitions, community engagement, and the preservation of its growing collection.

The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, is a multidisciplinary cultural institution that bridges art, science, and natural history. To address spatial and functional challenges while enhancing its role in the community, the museum initiated a significant renovation and expansion in 2014, following a national design competition. EskewDumezRipple was selected to lead the project, which modernized the facility and doubled its overall size.

The project involved a comprehensive redesign of the existing 32,500-square-foot structure and added 42,000 square feet, bringing the total to 74,500 square feet. Key features include expanded gallery spaces for permanent and temporary exhibits, improved collection storage, and versatile public areas such as a lecture hall and a reimagined lobby. This redesign enhanced the museum’s capacity to host exhibitions and community programs while creating a more accessible and visitor-friendly experience.

A central goal was to address accessibility and navigation issues. Previously, the museum’s entrance faced Interstate 95, creating confusion for visitors and limiting its visual connection with the site. The redesign reoriented the entrance to face Bruce Park, establishing a clear and inviting arrival sequence. This change also integrates a landscaped courtyard between the new addition and the original structure, extending the park into the museum’s footprint and fostering a seamless connection between architecture and nature.

The new spaces emphasize community engagement. The double-height lobby serves as a hub, seamlessly connecting to the café and gift shop to create a dynamic public area. A state-of-the-art lecture hall accommodates a variety of events, from public talks to celebratory gatherings. The addition of new gallery spaces supports the museum’s ability to host ambitious temporary exhibitions while also showcasing its growing permanent collection. Executive Director Robert Wolterstorff noted that these improvements allow the museum to engage with the community in unprecedented ways.

Daylighting and materiality play a crucial role in the architectural concept. The museum’s façade is composed of striated cast stone and glass, inspired by Connecticut’s coastal stone quarries. This design creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow across the façade while filtering daylight into the interiors. The transition from bright, open spaces to softly lit galleries provides an intentional flow that complements the museum’s exhibits.

The successful completion of the project reflects the collaboration of a skilled multidisciplinary team, including Turner Construction, Reed Hilderbrand, and Guy Nordenson and Associates. The Bruce Museum now stands as a model of thoughtful architectural design, blending functionality with cultural enrichment to serve its mission as a community-focused institution.