We are talking about a cafe with 40 seats, an art studio and three new exhibition galleries: for the exhibition of ceramics, graphics and works by artists of "American modernism". The new "wings" will differ somewhat in style from the main building, demonstrating the path of development followed by the architect over the past years: their forms are less geometric, more inclined towards "organic architecture".
The Weismann Museum is a small educational museum aimed at students of art universities located in the city. But, at one time, for Gehry, this project was very important: it was his first building, implemented outside of southern California, as well as his first project with the active use of metal. It was from this work that Gehry became widely known.
The curved facade of the museum's main building, made of stainless steel, overlooking the Mississippi shaped the new café and studio. Both of them are covered with metal sheets, reminiscent of panels fluttering in the wind. At the same time, the new halls will look like traditional rectangular brick blocks, with optimal conditions for exhibiting works of art.
The construction of new outbuildings is planned to begin at the end of this year and be completed by 2009.
