Founded in a disused beer warehouse in Santa Fe’s once-gritty Railyard District, SITE opened in 1995 as the only international biennial of contemporary art in the U.S. It has since evolved into a year-round destination for avant-garde works. But as the small museum neared its 20th year, the facility no longer suited the vision of the board and the new director, Irene Hofmann, so they invited New York– based SHoP to transform it. The design team has created a seamless expansion, adding a multifunction lobby, flexible galleries, storage and office areas, and upgrading the HVAC. They also built a rear courtyard bordered by an event space and education lab. The main attraction, though, is the bold perforated-aluminum prow that stretches from the newly glazed entrance. Softly lit by integrated LEDs, this silvery marquee not only welcomes passersby—it signals that something exciting is happening here.
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