Exterior view of the Brooks Art Museum in Memphis, highlighting its modern design against a city skyline at twilight.

The Brooks Art Museum in Memphis, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, features a modern architectural style with a prominent facade. The museum is situated along a riverfront, surrounded by a city skyline at dusk, showcasing illuminated buildings in the background.

Rendering of the Brooks Art Museum, showcasing its contemporary design with glass and wood elements, outdoor seating, and pedestrians.
Exterior view of the Brooks Art Museum with people on the sidewalk and trees lining the street.
Exterior view of the Brooks Art Museum with people outside, featuring modern architecture and street trees.
Exterior view of a contemporary building with a textured facade, surrounded by trees and plants, with people in the foreground and water in the background.
Exterior view of a modern art museum with a glass entrance, wooden structure, and a courtyard filled with people.
Render of the Brooks Art Museum featuring a contemporary building design with a sloped roof and greenery in the foreground, set against a city skyline.
A tiered outdoor seating area with people sitting and interacting, alongside a modern building in the background.
Outdoor view of the Brooks Art Museum with people walking and a modern building in the background.
Interior of the Brooks Art Museum with paintings on the walls and visitors observing the art.
Interior of an art gallery with framed paintings and visitors.
Interior view of a space with a large wooden-framed window overlooking a river and landscape.
Interior view of an art gallery with visitors observing various artworks on display.
Interior view of a classroom or studio with people engaged in activities around a large table, featuring wooden beams and a mounted screen.
View from a balcony at sunset featuring a couple and a person sitting, with a brightly lit bridge across the river.
Construction site of the Brooks Art Museum in Memphis, with a river and several parked cars visible.
A view of the Brooks Art Museum construction site with scaffolding, vehicles, and nearby buildings in an urban setting.
Aerial view of the Brooks Art Museum construction site, with cranes, construction materials, and the river in the background.
Construction site with a crane and a worker near a truck, showing a building under construction.
A view of the Brooks Art Museum construction site with scaffolding and a parked truck in the foreground.
A view of the Brooks Art Museum under construction, featuring scaffolding, a partially completed facade, and nearby traffic signals.
Close-up of a building corner with a textured facade and concrete base.
View of the construction site with a crane and metal roofing in a city setting.
Staircase in a construction area with concrete steps and wooden railings.
Under construction interior of a building with wooden structures and a staircase.
Detailed view of wooden structural elements with contrasting colors.
Interior construction site of the Brooks Art Museum with drywall and wooden beams.

Story

A transformative space for art and community

As Memphis prepares for the opening of the Brooks Art Museum's downtown campus in December 2026, excitement is building around the innovative design by renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron. This new building is set to become a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape, deeply rooted in the rich history and vibrant community of Memphis.

Founded in 1916, the Brooks Art Museum stands as the largest and oldest world art museum in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, boasting a collection of nearly 10,000 works that span 5,000 years of global history. The new architectural vision will not only house these treasures but will also enhance the visitor experience through thoughtfully organized galleries that feature 18 distinct exhibitions. Each exhibition will highlight the museum's collection strengths, including Old Master paintings and significant American art, while fostering connections across time, geography, and medium.

The design of the museum encourages a visual and conceptual dialogue between galleries, reinforcing thematic narratives that flow throughout the space. This innovative approach aims to create an engaging environment that invites visitors to explore and reflect on the diverse stories told through art.

In the coming months, the museum will unveil commissioned artworks for its new cultural campus and the opening exhibition program, promising a dynamic experience for both locals and visitors alike.

  • Innovative architectural design by Herzog & de Meuron

  • 18 distinct exhibitions showcasing the museum's collection strengths

  • Enhanced visitor experience through thematic gallery arrangements

  • Integration of community and cultural history into the architectural narrative

  • Commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility

Feature Details
Architect Herzog & de Meuron
Location Memphis, TN, USA
Year of Completion 2026
Collection Size Nearly 10,000 works
Exhibition Count 18 distinct exhibitions

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: Textured facade made of stacked materials with a concrete base.

Materials

  • Glass — Facade and windows
  • Wood — Structural elements and finishes
  • Concrete — Structural elements and finishes
  • Metal — Structural elements
  • Drywall — Interior walls

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: Combination of concrete, wood, and metal elements.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Not specified
  • Lighting: Illuminated buildings in the background at dusk.

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