Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, IA, provides one of the most extensive collections of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world with 33,000+ artifacts across 12 historic buildings. The project will include event space, exhibit space, digital production, and archive space and will be integrated and cohesive with the surrounding landscape.

The design will act as an impactful new entrance to the Vesterheim campus of historic buildings and activities. Rather than being setback from adjacent structures, the entry will be distinguished and established as a prominent presence on the street. The entrance will be public, 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 will be prioritized, and the design will be universally accessible with ease of drop- off.

Flexible and aspirational event space will allow for more accessible and visible public programming for the museum. Space will 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. The design of Vesterheim's lobby sequence aims to serve as a community destination that tells a powerful story of voyage and arrival. As visitors move through the museum, they will be guided through a journey to the past, learning about the objects and history of Norwegian-American traditions through exhibitions and a visible archive.

In collaboration with Snohetta.