The Architects

sfmoma AND Snøhetta: A Groundbreaking Collaboration

Craig Dykers and Kjetil Thorsen of Snøhetta
Snøhetta principals Craig Dykers (left) and Kjetil Thorsen; photo: courtesy Snøhetta; © Snøhetta

The architecture firm Snøhetta has been selected to collaborate with SFMOMA in developing an expansion that will not only create compelling new spaces, but also enhance the museum's contributions to the community. In the words of Craig Dykers, one of Snøhetta's principals, the extension of the SFMOMA building will "become the tissue that merges building and community, supports the museum's role as an educational and civic catalyst, and opens up the museum to the diverse audiences it serves."

"What Snøhetta practices could be called the architecture of engagement, a building conceived as a social and environmental act instead of a static, formal object," Wall Street Journal critic Ada Louise Huxtable has written. Throughout its award-winning body of work, Snøhetta has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and a dynamic and imaginative engagement with environmental and social context. These qualities, along with a track record of unique, timely, and fiscally responsible approaches to complex civic and cultural projects, make the firm ideally suited to meet the goals and needs of SFMOMA and the Bay Area community.

Snøhetta was chosen by SFMOMA's architect selection committee following a comprehensive international search. After examining the work of some 35 firms, the committee narrowed the field to four firms — Adjaye Associates, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Foster + Partners, and Snøhetta — who were invited to present ideas on how they would approach the project. After thorough consideration, the search committee presented its recommendation of Snøhetta to the SFMOMA Board of Trustees in July 2010.

Snøhetta will partner with EHDD and Webcor to execute the expansion project.