Joslyn Art Museum’s Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion

The Rhonda and Howard Hawks Pavilion addition at the Joslyn Art Museum was constructed to house the Museum's recently acquired works from the Phillip G. Schrager Collection.

Through an assertive yet complementary design response, it provides a contemporary addition bridging the early century Art Deco and late century High Modernist structures present on the campus.

A primary goal of the addition, in partnership with Snøhetta, and a vast team of partners and stakeholders, was to provide a new iteration of world-renowned architecture to accompany the two existing buildings – each esteemed in unique ways. Drawing inspiration from their material quality, monumental presence, and strategic transparency, the Rhonda and Howard Hawks Pavilion is composed of ground level glazing and opaque cladding with a pink aggregate. This cladding slowly shifts in pattern and density, eventually twisting around the all-glass atrium extension and seamlessly bridging transparency and opacity.

Designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, the interior program includes an expanded atrium, relocated Museum store, new community room, and ample gallery space. Wayfinding is improved through increased visibility throughout the building and from the street, reinforcing the connection with the adjacent outdoor sculpture gardens, renovated landscape, and urban context beyond.

Awards:
AIA Iowa (2025 Craft Award)
AIA NE (2025 Excellence in Architecture Honor Award)
AIA NE (2025 Excellence in Interior Architecture Honor Award)