We took full advantage of the abundant natural California sunlight while protecting the extremely valuable, light-sensitive pieces within the building to produce a bright gallery for this outstanding collection.
Richard Olcott, Design Partner
Part of a University directive to develop a prominent arts district, this new gallery building provides an inviting home for the Anderson Collection as well as a vital library and teaching space, serving Stanford’s educational mission.
Exhibition spaces are on the second floor below an undulating ceiling. The gentle slope of the ceiling and the continuous translucent clerestory windows at the perimeter of the building bring diffused natural light into the galleries from above.
The gallery layout is conceived as one open room, freeing visitors from a prescribed sequence and promoting the exploration of individual interests.
A grand central staircase serves as an extension of the gallery walls, allowing visitors to view the collection as they gradually ascend from the lobby to the main galleries above.
Openings between the gallery walls provide views into the double-height stair hall, which serves as a point of orientation for visitors circulating throughout the building.
The second floor gallery volume is cantilevered over the first floor to create a modern interpretation of Stanford’s traditional pedestrian arcade.
