EXPANSION ART URBANISM Chipperfi eld and the Menil master plan THE MENIL COLLECTION HAS CHOSEN DAVID CHIPPERFIELD Piano was an original consideration for the are on the list for the master plan: an expanded book- Architects to conceptualize a master plan for its master plan, but he had to withdraw due to earlier store, a café, and a building for public programs and 30-acre property in Montrose. The selection was commitments. Helen Winkler Fosdick, who worked social functions. The new plan will also address the made after an international search, which culminated with John and Dominique de Menil (1964–73), said, need for additional space for the Menil Archives, the in formal interviews and presentations by several “I was saddened by the loss of Renzo Piano to con- Menil Drawing Institute and Study Center, and new fi rms, including Offi ce d’A from Boston and two tinue the plan of the Menil campus, but heartened buildings devoted to individual artists, as well as Madrid-based fi rms, Mansilla+Tuñon and Herreros by the intelligent and thoughtful presentation of income-producing properties along Richmond Arquitectos, all of whom are likely can- Avenue where Metro is plan- didates for the design of future Menil ning a light rail line linking the buildings. Chipperfi eld, based in London, University of Houston to the Berlin, and Singapore, recently won the Galleria area. Sterling Prize for its design of the W Alabama St. That the Dan Flavin Instal- Museum of Modern Literature in lation on Richmond remained Germany and has completed several intact in every arrangement museum master plans. shown by Chipperfi eld Its current melding of architecture, Sul Ross St. delighted Fosdick as did the landscape, and art make the Menil likelihood that the rail line will campus unique in terms of urbanism. bring more visitors to the space, Mandell St. The expanse of lawn fronting the main Branard St. austark St. which was reworked by the museum building, designed by Renzo Gr artist for his light sculptures. Piano, is a site for three land art works The fate of nearby Richmont by Michael Heizer – Isolated Mass / Square, a sprawling apartment W Main St. Circumfl ex (#2), Rift, and Dissipate, complex owned by the Menil while Mark Di Suvero’s large-scale * Collection, is uncertain. The upon St. Bygones occupies a park space between Y large swath of land could the Piano building and the Rothko Cha- Colqui! St. relieve pressure on other prop- pel, where Barnett Newman’s Broken erties and enable the creation Obelisk emerges from a refl ection pool. of new architecturally signifi - Bungalows from the 1920s and 30s sur- Richmond Ave. cant sites, but the complex round the Menil and Rothko Chapel, generates income for the Menil, housing a mix of residences, museum illustrating the challenge Chip- offi ces, and other arts organizations. The perfi eld faces. E consistent use of the hallmark “Menil None of the proposed R U T Gray” for the exteriors of the bungalows master plans were released to C E T I creates a distinct, unifi ed – and even the public by the Menil. When H Menil campus and surrounding neighborhood with the Richmont Square apartments site left blank C R A somewhat surreal – appearance. The asked about a timeline and and marked with an asterisk. F O Menil Collection campus fi ts into the whether the economic climate E G E L neighborhood so well that one has to look for it, and David Chipperfi eld and the Menil board and staff.” would cause delays, Helfenstein noted, “The timing L O C even after fi nding the central site, one must explore She attended a March 17, 2009, talk by the architect is actually good. We are at the beginning of the pro- S E N I further to stumble upon the Cy Twombly Gallery, during which he presented three possible arrange- cess. We are not building. We are not doing a capital H E . L D Y K the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, and the Dan Flavin ments. “One sensed an extremely conscious effort campaign. Before fundraising, we have to have a D L N A O R Installation at Richmond Hall. to respect and carefully continue the greatness of master site plan.” L E L I G D This art urbanism creates a humane and relaxing the Menil and surrounding campus of art set in Though the Menil campus is not likely to change N Y O S T E S environment for exploration and contemplation. the bungalows and trees. They spoke of understand- in the very near future, the comprehensive interview T U R O U H O It is this understated, sophisticated character that ing natural light with the art, keeping the quietness process and the selection of David Chipperfi eld F C O N A the Menil Collection seeks to preserve in its quest of the neighborhood and art spaces, and single Architects are among the most promising architec- Y L T I P 10 S ; R for expansion. Regarding this commitment, Josef artist’s installations – all good things that help tural developments Houston has seen for years. R E E V T I S Helfenstein, director of the Menil, said “We owe make up this extraordinary gift the de Menils -Marc El-Khouri N E U .cite H F L it to this place,” adding that, “David Chipperfi eld gave to Houston and the world.” O U Y A S P : Architects has the necessary intelligence and excellent Several features of the original campus concept GO TO OFFCITE.ORG FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW OF E T O R JOSEF HELFENSTEIN. T U staff to deal with complex issues.” were not built when the Menil opened in 1987 and O O H C P SPRING2009.