PennDesign Architecture Pop-Up Exhibition

As one of the world’s great archeology and anthropology research museums, and the largest university museum in the United States, the Penn Museum houses over a million objects, some dating back several millennia. But this week, through a partnership with PennDesign, the Museum is displaying a collection of objects made just weeks ago.

The objects are the work of first-year graduate architecture students who were asked to imagine a 42,000-square-foot addition to the museum, in the Stoner Courtyard, that would integrate collections storage, gallery, and event spaces. Their assignment, for PennDesign’s ARCH 501 Studio, addresses the reality that although the Museum’s collection contains over a million artifacts, only about 3% of them are on display.

The designs on view were selected by the Museum’s executive team, including the Merle-Smith Director of Learning Programs Ellen M. Owens. “Many designs responded to the Museum’s remit to work with the public, which is a top priority for us,” noted Owens. “The thoughtful treatment of how these structures would enhance public engagement was the center of our proposal discussion.”

The PennDesign Architecture Pop-Up Exhibition is on view Tuesday, January 15 – Friday, January 18 on the Penn Museum’s Trescher Entrance Lobby, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia. Free with museum admission. Museum admission is free with PennKey card. 

Faculty of the seven sections of the studio selected 14 finalists, from which the Museum selected seven proposals for the exhibition. A portfolio of all of the 14 finalist proposals is available here.