Towards a Human-Centered Approach to Art Museum Design

Altaf Engineer (University of Arizona)
Sandra Bernal (University of Arizona)

This research presents post-occupancy evaluations of four high-profile art museum addition buildings in the United States constructed in the last 50 years. In this country alone, about 50 percent of all museums were involved in building construction, expansion or renovations in this period. Vast sums of money are spent in these processes including maintenance and operational costs, however, sustainable approaches to museum design and accountability towards visitors and employees are needed. This study, therefore, reflects the benefits of post-occupancy evaluations of real-world museum environments as an approach to evidence-based design. Taking a critical look at art museum additions, it answers the questions: How does museum addition design affect visitors’ and employees’ perceptions, experiences, sense of well-being, and comfort in “front stage” areas such as art galleries and “back stage” areas such as their work spaces?

Reflecting on the last 50 years of museum additions can positively influence museum design for the next 50 years. This research, therefore, is an important topic for discussion in EDRA50 and its theme of Sustainable Urban Environments. The goal is to help decision-makers assess the short-term and long-term human impact of new museum addition projects. Museum leaders, curators, architects, and consultants may find this study to be a valuable resource for improving occupant well-being, social, and cultural experiences in new and existing museum buildings.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago and their additions constructed in the last 50 years were selected as case studies. Taking the museums’ architectural histories as well as future best practices and recommendations into consideration, mixed-methods are employed in this research, consisting of participant observations, extensive museum employee surveys and on-site interviews, a content analysis of architecture critics’ reviews in the popular press, and museum visitors’ reviews on travel websites. Findings revealed that employee work conditions did not improve with new additions; they continued working in or were moved to new spaces that were mostly windowless and very often located in basements. Visitor spaces were beset with problems of accessibility, wayfinding, and connectivity. Amenities such as restrooms, water fountains, and seating were inadequate, contributing to museum fatigue in people. Museum visitors expressed similar concerns in their online reviews.

The Principal Investigator has a research background in social and behavioral issues in sustainable planning and design of built environments, and museum studies. His research defines individuals’ health, well-being, and performance by linking real-time human behavioral, and psychological responses with real-time measures of environmental attributes in real-world settings. As Chair of a graduate program of architecture and health in the built environment, he has a special focus on connecting research, education, and practice. Given his research profile and expertise, his contribution to a human-centric and evidence-based art museum design is significant for design research and practice.