Upon its debut in 1984, Edward Larrabee Barnes’s monumental, limestone-clad Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) was praised by Paul Goldberger in the New York Times for its "self-assurance" and for having a “strong relationship to the classical museums of old.” Nearly four decades later, the museum is set to undergo a sweeping “architectural reinvention” that DMA director Dr. Agustín Arteaga said will enable the venerable Texas institution to set the standard in "an era where the museum of the 21st century is still being defined."

As announced last week, the DMA has launched a two-stage global competition seeking architect-led multidisciplinary design teams to helm the $150–175 million expansion and redesign project. The first stage of the Malcolm Reading Consultants–organized competition won’t require entrants to submit design proposals but rather present their overall approach and outline the team composition and each member’s relevant experience. At minimum, teams vying to move on to the second stage must include lead design architect, landscape architect, exhibition designer, and engineers, including structural, services, and sustainability.