|io|

Housing one of the world’s most comprehensive views of America, the new home for the Gilcrease Museum enables better stewardship of the collection and an elevated visitor experience. Inspired by Osage cultural traditions about humankind’s place within the universe, the theme of connection to nature resonates throughout the design.

Humanity & The Cosmos

A unifying, balanced force gives life to all things. The Osage believe it is within everything and every place, both celestial and terrestrial. This Museum is between earth and sky, day and night, and reconnects mankind with this cosmic force.

The Space Between

The concept for the museum centers upon humankind's connection with nature and aligns cardinal directions to natural elements and experiences—north/sky, south/earth, east/day, west/night—grounding the visitors' experience in these natural phenomena. The color and material palette underscore the connection to natural elements while reflecting the Art Deco styles prevalent in Tulsa. The lower levels of the building are comprised of earth tones, creating a link to the ground, while the upper levels utilize sky tones, blending architecture into the atmosphere.

The entrance guides visitors to the Earth Stairs and frames a view of the Osage Hills, presenting the landscape as art. A three-story atrium represents the immensity and verticality of the sky. The generous Roof Terrace echoes the former museum's much-beloved "Vista Room." Still, this higher elevation in the new museum affords more expansive views of the natural beauty.

Outdoor courtyards and gardens reflect the same use of directions and elements, further connecting the museum to its place's spirit, history, and people. The indoor and outdoor spaces flow, allowing more programming and inclusive community events. Working with the Tulsa community and Osage Nation, the Gilcrease Museum will continue to enhance the relationships between history, art, nature, and humankind.

The Earth Stair is massive and solid, it sits on the southern edge of the museum and introduces visitors to the Osage Hills as a framed view. This framed view contextualizes the museum’s collection of great American landscape paintings.

The Sky Stair floats within the atrium under diffused light from the skylight above. This central atrium space orients the visitor, centering them amidst the four cardinal directions and life-giving cosmic forces.