AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners

AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Shelving, Windows, HandrailAD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Fence, Facade, Glass, Beam, SteelAD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Facade, HandrailAD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Image 5 of 14AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - More Images+ 9

  • Architects: Richard Meier & Partners
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  1983

Text description provided by the architects. The High Museum of Art is a major public building and art repository that responds to the typological and contextual aspects of the museum's program. The city of Atlanta's progressive building tradition, as well as its role as a developing cultural center, had a strong influence on the design.

Ground Floor, Courtesy of Richard Meier & Partners Architects

The corner site, at the junction of Peachtree and Sixteenth streets about two miles from downtown Atlanta, places the museum at an important location for Atlanta's development and within a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood with good public transportation access.

Second Floor, Courtesy of Richard Meier & Partners Architects

The parti consists of four quadrants with one carved out, to distinguish it from the other three; the missing quadrant becomes a monumental atrium, the lobby and the ceremonial center of the museum.

AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Shelving, Windows, Handrail
Courtesy of richard meier & partners architects ©scott frances esto

The extended ramp is a symbolic gesture reaching out to the street and city, and a foil to the interior ramp that is the building's chief formal and circulatory element. At the end of the ramp is the main entry and reception area, from which one passes into the four-story atrium.

AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Fence, Facade, Glass, Beam, Steel
Courtesy of richard meier & partners architects ©scott frances esto

The light-filled atrium space is inspired by, and a commentary on, the central space of the Guggenheim Museum. 

Wall Sections Auditorium, Courtesy of Richard Meier & Partners Architects

As in the Guggenheim, the ramp system mediates between the central space and the art itself. In the Guggenheim, however, the ramp doubles as a gallery; in Atlanta, the separation of circulation and gallery space allows the central space to govern the system of movement.

AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Image 5 of 14

This separation also allows the atrium walls to have windows, which admit natural light and offer framed views of the city. 

AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners - Facade, Handrail

The galleries are organized to provide multiple vistas as well as intimate and large-scale viewing to accommodate the diverse needs of the collection.

Light, whether direct or filtered, is a constant preoccupation throughout; apart from its functional aspect, light is a symbol of the museum's role as a place of aesthetic illumination and enlightened cultural values. 

The primary intention of the architecture is to encourage the discovery of these values, and to foster a contemplative appreciation of the museum's collection through spatial experience.

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Atlanta, Georgia

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: Megan Sveiven. "AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners" 07 Feb 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/110019/ad-classics-high-museum-of-art-richard-meier-partners-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of richard meier & partners architects ©scott frances esto

AD Classics: High Museum of Art / Richard Meier & Partners Architects

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.