The Menil Collection
The museum, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, houses Dominique and John de Menil’s collection of over 10,000 works spanning ancient, African, and surrealist modern art. Complementing its galleries are spaces for art restoration, study, and a picture frame workshop. Nestled in a 1920s residential neighborhood park, the building reflects the proportions and materials of nearby houses. In 1992, Piano also designed a separate pavilion dedicated to Cy Twombly, further enriching this unique cultural landmark.
A Museum Designed in Harmony with Its Neighborhood
Many of the buildings located around the Menil Collection were purchased as storage and study facilities for the works of art and it was decided that the museum would be designed to fit in with them, creating a museum village. At the behest of Dominique de Menil, the museum itself remains domestic in proportion, following the low lines of the neighbouring bungalows, recreating their deep porches. The museum’s grey cypress cladding also compliments the ‘Menil grey’ paint used on many of the surrounding houses.
A Distinctive Layout for Public and Scholarly Engagement
The museum is divided into two distinct parts. On the ground floor the public gallery spaces are distributed along a 320ft (150m) central ‘spine’. Galleries open onto a tropical winter garden for extra light. The roofline is broken at one end with the only upper-floor rooms – the ‘treasure house’ – a climate-controlled archive reserved for scholars and conservators.
Innovative Design for Natural Light and Conservation
The project’s guiding principles were the use of natural light and the preservation of artworks. Dominique de Menil emphasized the importance of viewing art under daylight, appreciating its dynamic changes throughout the day and across seasons. To achieve this, a specialized "solar machine" was developed in collaboration with Ove Arup & Partners. This innovative tool analyzed light behavior, refraction mechanics, and UV filtration options, ensuring a harmonious balance between natural light and artwork conservation.
Extensive experimentation with structural materials led to the creation of a unique curved ferro-cement element known as the "leaf." Measuring 130 x 90 cm in cross-section and 25 mm thick, the leaf’s thickness varies to optimize its performance. Replicated 291 times, these elements form the roof’s inner layer, filtering daylight to achieve the desired lighting conditions. Each leaf is securely held in place by a steel grid, seamlessly integrating functionality and design.
Details on Foundation website
Project Details
Status
Client
The Menil Foundation
Design
Piano & Fitzgerald, architects
Design Team
S. Ishida (associate in charge), M. Carroll, F. Doria, M. Downs, C. Patel, B. Plattner (associate), C. Susstrunk
Consultants
Ove Arup & Partners (P. Rice, N. Nobel, J. Thornton), Hayne & Whaley Associates (structure); Ove Arup & Partners (T. Barker, A. Guthrie, A. Sedgwick), Galewsky & Johnston (services) ; R. Jensen (fire prevention)
