The Crow Museum of Asian Art: an invitation to discover the art of Asia

The Crow Museum of Asian Art has a new home on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) in Richardson. Designed by Morphosis, the museum is the first of several buildings to be built in the university’s new Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum cultural district.

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

 

Once completed, this three-phase project will have two museums, a performance hall, a music building, a large plaza, and a parking garage for the campus.

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

 

With 5295 m² of floorspace on two levels, the Crow Museum of Asian Art has twelve gallery spaces, the Brettell Reading Room, and multipurpose spaces. It’s accessible to both the university community and the public.

 

The Crow Museum of Asian Art: a “classical athenaeum”

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

 

The design of the museum grew from the idea of a “classical athenaeum,” a meeting place for the exchange of knowledge, inspired by the vision of Dr. Richard Brettell, director of the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History.

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

 

The building combines a minimalist elegance with materials carefully chosen to integrate with the surrounding environment. The façade is clad in sandblasted precast concrete panels with a patterned surface that, inspired by the changing Texas light, creates a visual connection with nature.

Extensive glazing and skylights flood the interiors with natural light, creating a bright, inviting atmosphere.

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

 

The layout of the spaces creates an immersive experience, with the galleries upstairs and the Brettell Reading Room, the conservation lab, and areas for study and learning at ground level. Outdoor terraces and a garden provide additional spaces for events and activities.

 

A space that invites discovery

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

 

The design team set out to encourage interaction between public and private spaces. Visible from the outside, the exhibition areas invite passers-by to step inside and discover the exhibits. Meanwhile, students are attending seminars, workshops, and other activities.

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

With Phase I, the museum is writing a new chapter in Dallas’s art and architecture landscape, offering both the UT Dallas community and North Texas residents a unique opportunity to explore Asian art and deepen their understanding of world cultures. A partnership with the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and an exhibition of Latin American art will further enrich the campus’s cultural offerings.

 

>>> Discover The Judy Genshaft Honors College, designed by Morphosis

 

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

©Mauricio Rojas, Courtesy of UT Dallas

Phase II, rendering by and courtesy of Morphosis

Phase II, rendering by and courtesy of Morphosis

Phase II, rendering by and courtesy of Morphosis