Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum / Zaha Hadid Architects

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Area: 3,623 m²
Site Area: 65,000 m²
Year: 2012
Photographs: Paul Warchol, Andrew Martin, Kremerbi (Wikimedia Commons), Kitsune of the day (Wikimedia Commons), Dj1997 (Wikimedia Commons)
Manufacturers: Guardian Glass, Unilock
Structural Engineering: Adams Kara Taylor, SDI Structures
Environmental / M&E: Max Fordham [London, UK]; Peter Basso [Michigan, USA]
Local Architects: Integrated Design Solutions
Architects In Charge: Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher
Project Director: Craig Kiner
Project Team: Michael Hargens, Edgar Payan Pacheco, Sophia Razzaque, Arturo Revilla, Charles Walker
Competition Project Director: Nils-Peter Fischer
Competition Project Architects: Fulvio Wirz, Britta Knobel
Competition Team: Melike Altinisik, Rojia Forouhar, Mariagrazia Lanza, Daniel Widrig
City: East Lansing
State: Michigan
Country: United States

Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, in East Lansing, USA, has transformed the northern edge of the Michigan State University campus. The museum, completed in 2012, integrates a network of pathways and visual connections between the university and the city. Its dynamic form, influenced by circulation paths, creates an engaging cultural hub.

Eli & edythe broad art museum / zaha hadid architects

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum (MSU Broad or BAM), designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a nonprofit contemporary art museum located on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing, Michigan. Opened on November 10, 2012, it features a rotating exhibition schedule focusing on emerging to mid-career artists, including those from the university’s Master of Fine Arts program. The museum offers free admission to all community events and programs.

The museum’s establishment was significantly supported by Eli and Edythe Broad, who provided the leading gift. The collection includes over 10,000 works, ranging from Ancient Greek and Roman antiquities to contemporary pieces by artists such as Chuck Close and Ann Hamilton. The collection was inherited from the Kresge Art Museum, MSU’s former art museum.

Architectural Design and Context

Designed by Zaha Hadid, the museum’s iconic design features steel and concrete construction with a pleated stainless steel and glass exterior. The structural system combines steel framing, concrete shear, and bearing walls, with polished concrete and wood floors in the galleries. The building dedicates 70% of its 46,000 square feet to exhibition space, including non-traditional spaces like the Education Wing and the Benefactor’s Gallery. Public movement areas are marked by architectural concrete, facilitating fluid movement between gallery spaces.

The museum’s form shapes the movement paths and visual connections between the university and the city. These pathways generate two-dimensional planes that are folded into three-dimensional space, creating an interior landscape that integrates the surrounding topography and circulation. This design approach allows the museum to engage with its context, creating a dynamic relationship with its surroundings. According to Zaha Hadid Architects, the angular facade gave the building “an ever-changing appearance that arouses curiosity yet never quite reveals its content.”

Community Engagement and Public Spaces

The museum’s design fosters community interaction, creating intentional exchanges between the city, its inhabitants, and visitors. Visual connectivity between the galleries, plaza, and city emphasizes the museum’s role as a gateway between the East Lansing community and the campus. The floating staircase, a central feature, enhances this connection, offering dramatic views of both the campus and downtown East Lansing.

The MSU Broad Art Museum serves as a cultural hub, hosting a wide range of exhibitions and programs. Its rotating exhibition schedule focuses on contemporary artists, including those from Michigan State University’s MFA program. The museum organizes hundreds of programs for various ages, all offered at no charge, reinforcing its commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

Historical Context and Philanthropy

Before the BAM, the Kresge Art Museum housed the university’s art collections. Supported by a $33 million donation from Eli and Edythe Broad, the new museum was designed through a competition, with Zaha Hadid’s proposal being selected. Construction began on March 16, 2010, and the museum opened in November 2012.

Eli and Edythe Broad are renowned philanthropists with significant contributions to education, science, and the arts. They have built prominent collections of postwar and contemporary art and established The Broad Foundations to advance the public good in these areas. Their vision for the MSU Broad Art Museum reflects their commitment to enhancing cultural and educational landscapes. Eli Broad once said, “We fully expect to be a significant contributor to our local economic engine,” highlighting the museum’s anticipated impact on the community.

The Broads’ contributions to the museum include not only the initial $26 million gift but also an additional $2 million in 2010 for construction and another $5 million in 2014 to increase the museum’s endowment and support future exhibitions. Their philanthropy has left a lasting impact on Michigan State University and the broader community.

Economic Impact

The museum’s economic impact on the region is substantial, generating approximately $5.75 million per year in new spending. This includes spending on shopping, food and drink, transportation, and overnight accommodations. The Broad Museum attracts visitors with high incomes and education levels, contributing to the local economy.

Sustainability and Design Features

Ecological sustainability was a key consideration in the design, earning LEED certification in 2013. Features include floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize natural light, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and recycling stations to minimize waste. The museum’s design also includes high-performance glazing for windows, doors, and skylights, enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Legacy and Future

Eli Broad’s legacy is celebrated for his philanthropic contributions, transforming arts access in Michigan and leaving a lasting impact on Michigan State University and beyond. The museum remains a testament to his dedication to art, education, and community. His vision for a world-class art museum at MSU has created a lasting cultural landmark, providing access to art and educational opportunities for generations to come.

The museum’s collection continues to grow, focusing on modern and contemporary works. Significant holdings include Ancient Greek and Roman antiquities, pre-Columbian sculptures, Medieval and Renaissance illuminations, Old Master paintings, and 20th-century sculptures by artists like Alexander Calder and Jenny Holzer. The collection’s growth is guided by the vision of increasing access to contemporary art for audiences worldwide.

The MSU Broad Art Museum stands as a symbol of Eli and Edythe Broad’s enduring legacy, fostering a vibrant cultural environment that bridges the university and the broader community. It continues to serve as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and public engagement, reflecting the values and vision of its founders. In the words of Michael Rush, the founding director, “The museum will generate new opportunities for existing businesses and potentially new businesses,” emphasizing its role in the local economic landscape.