Annabelle Selldorf was an obvious choice to renovate the venerated museum of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, home to a stellar collection of European and American paintings. Long esteemed by the art world for her minimalist approach, the German-born, New York–based architect designed the Neue Galerie New York (2001), the Stanze del Vetro glass museum in Venice (2012), and several high-profile Manhattan galleries, including David Zwirner’s most recent space in Chelsea (RECORD, June 2013, page 168). Michael Conforti, the Clark’s director, hired Selldorf in 2007, six years after he commissioned Tadao Ando to design a new visitor center and conservation laboratory. But the two architects, both renowned for museum work, did not collaborate. “Ando and I met after I was hired,” Selldorf recalls. “He said, ’I’ll do my thing, and you do yours.’ ” That was the only discussion.
You have 0 complimentary articles remaining.
Unlimited access + premium benefits for as low as $1.99/month.