Naples, Florida, USA
“It is inspiring to think about introducing Naples to a reimagined Baker Museum,” said Artis—Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen.
“This first project of the Master Plan incorporates all of the elements that our mission has grown to encompass over three decades: visual arts, performing arts, education, and social engagement. I look forward to sharing each and every one of these beautiful new spaces with the entire community.”
The refurbishment and expansion of the Artis-Naples Baker Museum, created by architects Michael Manfredi and Marion Weiss of Weiss/Manfredi Architects, located in New York, has propelled the Artis-Naples Baker Museum into the future by aligning the institution’s aspirational growth with the museum’s physical growth.
The transformation of museum entails both the repair of the museum’s façade, necessitated by Hurricane Irma, and the expansion of the existing museum to the south with an improved entrance and new event, educational, and museum support areas.
The facility houses several new spaces for art, performance, education, and social interaction.
The project has recently been awarded a 2024 American Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
“Our design for the renovation and expansion of The Artis-Naples Baker Museum nests a series of interlocking indoor and outdoor spaces that create an open garden courtyard for programmed and spontaneous events,” said Michael Manfredi and Marion Weiss.
Adding, “It capitalizes on the multidisciplinary nature of Artis—Naples and makes visible the transformative interchanges between all the arts.”
The Artis-Naples Baker Museum’s curved exterior is clad in stone and metal with a durable water-resistant barrier against future storms.
The Norris Courtyard at the center of the new Artis—Naples Cultural Campus features sculpture and provides a setting for both events and direct access to The Baker Museum.
The new museum entrance sequence provides a more open public experience and visible museum entry, relocating the museum store and ticketing into the museum lobby.
The first floor gains the Multipurpose Performance and Learning Center for lectures, rehearsals, art exhibitions, and educational programs.
A monumental exterior stairway leads to the new Second Floor Event Space which accommodates ensemble performances, receptions, lectures, and exhibitions. Another addition is the rooftop sculpture terrace, accessed from a third-floor gallery, which provides views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Artis—Naples has taken the initiative to rebuild stronger, prioritizing greater protection against future weather events, while broadening its accessibility to the public.
Resilient strategies include improved waterproofing and drainage, the installation of a durable façade system, hurricane-tested glazing, the installation of a protected loading dock, and the incorporation of an ecological landscape design that accounts for proper drainage and utilizes native plantings.
These resilient design strategies are coupled with programmatic strategies that allow Artis—Naples to better serve the surrounding community and provide enhanced visual and performing arts programming.
The museum reception increases contiguous gallery space throughout the museum; an open arrival with an information desk, gift shop, and lobby welcomes patrons; and the outdoor terraces take advantage of the climate, providing space for outdoor sculpture and events.
These public spaces are complemented by enhanced service, storage, and museum support spaces.
The integration of resiliency and programming objectives results in seamless connections across campus while laying the groundwork for future improvements and growth.
Project: Artis-Naples Baker Museum
Architects: Weiss/Manfredi Architects
Lead Architects: Michael A Manfredi and Marion Weiss
Principal and Project Manager: Armando Petruccelli
Project Architect: Joseph Littrell
Design Team: Vivian Chen, Scott Chung, Andreas Hausler, Anne Lawren, Vardhan Mehta, and Patrick Armacost
Associate Architects: Andrea Clark Brown
General Contractor: Manhattan Construction
Client: Artis-Naples
Photographers: Albert Vecerka / Esto Photography
