The Fort Collins Museum of Art (MoA) needed better access and expanded gallery and adjunct spaces beyond the walls of its home in the historic Fort Collins U.S. Post Office building (c. 1912).

Our work focused on creating space for the Museum to grow with careful deference to the richly detailed architectural character of the National Register of Historic Places listed existing building. [au]workshop’s design included a new addition with an ennobling accessible entrance and lobby areas, expanded and reconfigured galleries, a lecture/performance space and updated and expanded support areas. Above the addition, a rooftop “eave” garden and gathering space provides views over Old Town.

On the urban design level, the solution creates a link between the Civic Building type and the closely surrounding storefront Commercial Building types in a way that was not anticipated by the original planners by knitting together their disparate formal characteristics.

“We are not just preserving a building for future generations to enjoy, but we are looking to create a space where all people can experience the power of art, where young artists can find their voice, and where our community can gather to celebrate creativity in all its forms,” notes Lisa Hatchadoorian, Executive Director of MoA