Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum Addition and Remodel

We designed this 30,000 square foot addition to the Monte L. Bean Museum at Brigham Young University, which is a life science museum that contains one of Utah’s largest collections of plants, insects, birds, and animal specimens from around the world. The new addition also displays the Morris Bird collection, and a display of bird carvings handcrafted by the late President Boyd K. Packer.

It was important for the client to have a design that was “timeless and classical” while also maximizing exhibit display and promoting the process of discovery by the visitor.  The addition includes a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits, a large 2-story overlook space, specialized animal display, exhibit spaces, educational spaces, a gift shop, a new primary building entrance, a featured Boyd K. Packer Bird Carving Gallery, and an educational suite including live animal displays.

The project also includes an interior remodel of the existing museum, a children’s education area, the relocated Morris Bird Gallery, expansion of the existing administration suite, a new cryogenics pest management area, and expansion of the education department.

Exterior work includes a new bus drop off, a formalized entry plaza on the north east corner of the building, a new service yard, and a new native plant exhibit and outdoor classroom patio on the south side of the building.

(Completed 2014, Exhibits Under Construction)

Awards: 2014 Merit Design Award, Utah Masonry Council

Size: 30,000 square feet