Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
A welcoming new entry sequence that reflects its museum as a community destination for discovering Norwegian-American traditions and history.
Information
- Location Decorah, Iowa
- Size 8,000 SF
- Completion 2023
- Services Architecture
- Project Type Museums
BNIM served as local architect in collaboration with Snohetta on an addition to the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, IA, which provides one of the most extensive collections of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world with 33,000+ artifacts across 12 historic buildings. The project includes event space, exhibit space, digital production, and archive space, designed to be integrated and cohesive with the surrounding landscape. The public entrance is warm and welcoming, while allowing all of the major Vesterheim exhibitions, gathering, events, and folk art to be on view. Views in and out of the entrance are prioritized, and the design is universally accessible with ease of drop-off. Flexible and aspirational event space create more accessible and visible public programming for the museum.
Impact + Innovation
The design acts as an impactful new entrance to the Vesterheim campus of historic buildings and activities. Rather than being setback from adjacent structures, the entry is distinguished and established as a prominent presence on the street. The design of Vesterheim’s lobby sequence aims to serve as a community destination that tells a powerful story of voyage and arrival. Spaces accommodate programming for banquet and lecture needs, public folk art programming for families and students, as well as the traveling Annual National Norwegian Folk Art Exhibition. As visitors move through the museum, they are guided through a journey to the past, learning about the objects and history of Norwegian-American traditions through exhibitions and a visible archive.
People
Client
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Collaborators
Snohetta
Awards
AIA Iowa
Excellence in Energy Efficient Design Award
2024
WoodWorks
Wood in Architecture Award
2024
