The Milwaukee Art Museum, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an architectural masterpiece that was designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The museum is built on the shores of Lake Michigan and is home to over 25,000 works of art from a variety of eras and cultures.
The museum was first conceived in 1888, when a group of local businessmen decided to create an art gallery that would showcase the city’s burgeoning art scene. They hired architect Eero Saarinen to design the building, and it opened its doors in 1957. However, after years of wear and tear, the building required renovations.
Enter Santiago Calatrava. The Spanish architect was commissioned to design a new addition to the museum in 2001 with the goal of breathing new life into the aging structure.
Calatrava’s design featured a soaring glass atrium connected by two curved wings that extended outward from either side of the existing building. The result was an iconic structure that has become synonymous with Milwaukee’s skyline.
Calatrava’s design also incorporated several unique features such as movable sunscreen panels made from aluminum and fiberglass that can be adjusted according to the amount of sunlight entering the building. He also included a skywalk bridge that connects two towers on either side of the atrium, giving visitors an unparalleled view of Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee.
The project took nearly four years to complete and cost over $100 million dollars, but it has been well worth it for both locals and tourists alike who can now experience world-class art while admiring one-of-a-kind architecture at one of America’s most beloved museums.
In conclusion, Santiago Calatrava is responsible for designing the breathtaking Milwaukee Art Museum which has become one of Milwaukee’s iconic landmarks since its opening in 2001 thanks to its stunning architecture and beautiful views of Lake Michigan.