The Barnes Foundation, home to one of the world's largest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings, will move from Merion, PA, to a new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia between 20th and 21st Streets.

The Barnes Foundation's new Art Education Center will house the institution's world-renowned art collection in galleries that will replicate the scale, proportion and configuration of the existing galleries. In addition, the center will provide a substantial increase in space for art education programs in the form of classrooms, seminar rooms and an auditorium. The new building will also include facilities for conservation, research and administration; a gallery for special exhibitions; a retail shop and restaurant; and areas for special events and visitor services.

Demolition on the existing building on the site occured in winter 2008-2009. Construction began in fall 2009 and is scheduled for completion in December 2011.

Client: The Barnes Foundation
Schedule: Expected completion December 2011
Size: 94,500 s.f.
Design:

Tod Williams & Billie Tsien Architects of New York serve as lead Architect, supported by Ballinger as Associate Architect. Olin Partnership is the Landscape Architect. Fisher Marantz Stone is the lighting designer.

Construction: L.F. Driscoll Co.

Architect:

Aegis Role:

Aegis Property Group was retained in February 2008 to provide project management services for the Design, Building Demolition and Permits & Approvals Phase of the project. Aegis will support the Barnes Foundation’s Project Director with the technical and management expertise necessary to plan, assemble and direct the resources required to complete the project within scope, schedule and budgetary objectives.