Lunder Building

Lunder Building. The Lunder Building is a major facility of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, located within the shared historic complex of the Donald W. Reynolds Center in Washington, D.C.. Opened in 2007, it represents a significant architectural and programmatic expansion, providing critical space for art conservation, exhibitions, and public engagement. The building is named in recognition of a transformative philanthropic gift from Peter Lunder and Paula Lunder.

History

The creation of the Lunder Building was a central component of the extensive renovation of the historic Old Patent Office Building, a National Historic Landmark that has housed the two Smithsonian museums since the 1960s. Planning for the project accelerated in the early 2000s following a landmark donation, which facilitated the modernization of the entire complex. Its completion in 2007 coincided with the grand reopening of the Reynolds Center after a six-year, comprehensive restoration led by the architectural firm Hartman-Cox. This addition allowed the Smithsonian Institution to vastly increase its publicly accessible space and integrate state-of-the-art museum functions within a historic shell, a complex endeavor that required close collaboration with the District of Columbia and the U.S. General Services Administration.

Architecture and design

Designed by the Philadelphia-based firm KieranTimberlake, the Lunder Building is celebrated as a masterful insertion of contemporary architecture within a historic context. The design is characterized by its extensive use of glass and steel, creating a striking visual contrast with the Greek Revival and Renaissance Revival styles of the original 19th-century structure. A defining feature is the soaring, naturally lit Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, which is enclosed by a graceful, undulating glass canopy designed by renowned engineers Buro Happold. The building seamlessly incorporates new galleries, the Lunder Conservation Center, and administrative offices, utilizing advanced sustainable technologies that earned it a certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Collections and exhibitions

The Lunder Building provides expansive new galleries that allow both museums to display more of their permanent collections and host major temporary exhibitions. It has been the venue for significant shows featuring works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Winslow Homer. A cornerstone of the building is the innovative Lunder Conservation Center, a glass-walled facility that offers the public a direct view of conservators at work on pieces from the vast holdings of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This "conservation lab on display" is a pioneering educational resource, allowing visitors to observe the preservation of important works from the National Portrait Gallery's collection of portraits of figures like Abraham Lincoln and Maya Angelou.

Renovation and expansion

The construction of the Lunder Building was itself the capstone renovation and expansion project for the historic museum campus. Prior to its addition, the Old Patent Office Building underwent a massive, $283 million restoration to repair its deteriorating infrastructure and restore its historic interiors, including spaces used by President Abraham Lincoln for his second inaugural ball. The new construction filled a previously underutilized interior courtyard, adding approximately 50,000 square feet of space without altering the building's historic exterior footprint. This project was part of a broader wave of cultural infrastructure improvements in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, akin to the earlier transformation of the Old Post Office Pavilion.

Significance and impact

The Lunder Building has profoundly impacted the cultural landscape of Washington, D.C., significantly enhancing the exhibition and educational capacity of two of the nation's premier art museums. Its innovative Lunder Conservation Center has set a new global standard for public access to museum conservation practices, inspiring similar initiatives at institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Rijksmuseum. The building has also strengthened the museums' roles in scholarly research and community programming, hosting events like the National Portrait Gallery's prestigious Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. As a successful fusion of historic preservation and modernist design, it stands as a model for museum architecture and a vital contributor to the National Mall area's status as a center for art and history.

Category:Art museums in Washington, D.C. Category:Smithsonian Institution museums Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2007