Museum of Glass Renewal

Tacoma, Washington — Construction started in Spring 2026

OVERVIEW

The client wanted to make better use of their internal spaces to enhance the visitor experience and provide long term exhibition flexibility. We worked to understand the existing building and structure and developed an expanded gallery experience, including dedicated permanent galleries. Future visitors will be greeted by a more extensive display of the Museum’s collection, with greater visibility to the programming and education that anchors the institution in the global glass museum landscape.

This project is conceived as a series of strategic transformations, each building upon the original Arthur Erickson structure. Of immediate importance and focus is expanding the gallery experience to greet visitors arriving in the central Grand Hall space. The natural light is balanced to fill this entire arrival space, and dedicated Lino Tagliapietra work is selectfully suspended to announce a renewed, enlarged gallery entry.

Within the galleries, an existing double height theater space is converted to a flexible exhibition space with direct access to galleries on either side. New lighting is carefully positioned throughout.

The fully accessible and connected galleries will serve as the foundation for changing exhibits and catalyze community engagement and visitation as the Museum continues to grow.

Our team worked closely with Bassetti Architects, BNBuilders and the Museum of Glass through an initial integrated design process, maximizing flexibility of available spaces and optimizing project scope and costs.