In my first project I staged a debate between the Herzog the original modernist architect for the new Blanton and a UT regent. In the debate, I took the side of the modernist and argued that UT should have accepted his design in order to integrate the modern buildings on campus with the more neoclassical and spanish Cretian buildings. In the essay, I was quite critical of William McKinnell's design that the university ultimately chose.
Well, now that I'm here, I have to change my mind. This building did exactly what I hoped that DeMuerion's building would do. It bridges the gap between the Cretian buildings by incorporating a large colonade, pitched red roof, and a clearly defined basement, midsection, and attic. However, it does not isolate its modern neighbor, for example the PCL. The opening stairwell to this museum is quite modern and harkens back to the PCL and HRC with its white walls and triangular windows for natural lighting. Right now, the room is almost too empty, it feels like the PCL without books. With time, I'm sure that some art will be moved in to make it feel occupied but hopefully retaining the modern opennness.
The art in this museum comes from all different styles. I found that the large gallery modelled after the Kimbell reminded me of the University Christian Church. Much of the art in the Blanton's "Kimbell" Gallery is obvious influenced by Mondrian and the De Stijl movement. The painting exhibit large boxes of color, however the differ from Mondrian because the colors aren’t constrained by strict straight lines. Similarly, in the sanctuary at University Christian, many of the stained glass windows showed the boxes of color that were obviously modelled after the works of Mondrian. The shape of
Kimbell gallery here, in addition to its similarities to University Christian, make this gallery seem like a cathedral or sanctuary itself.
I am also impressed by this architects ability to deal with Jester Dorm. One architect who applied to design the Blanton said he couldnt solve the problem with Jester because he wasnt a demolition expert. Although Jester wasnt torn down in the process of building this Museum, the building itself effectively hides Jester from MLK and the downtown area.
Furthermore, this museum has created another clearly defined entrance to the University. This fulfills the Campus Masterplan's goal of artfully defining portals to the campus space.
In addition to its modernist influences, the room that I'm sitting in right now
is obviously based on the ancient Pantheon in rome. The room is dome with an oculus to allow light placed at the apex of the dome.
I'm quite impressed with the seamless integration of many different artistic and
architectural schools of thought in this building