the albright-knox art gallery, a museum in buffalo, new york, has announced that artist olafur eliasson and architect sebastian behmann, founding partners of studio other spaces, have been tasked with designing a work of art that will form part of the institution?s major expansion. following the news that OMA?s new york office, led by shohei shigematsu, had been selected to overhaul the art gallery?s existing campus, the first images of the expansion plans were revealed in june 2018. now, updated visualizations offer a closer look at the institution?s first expansion in more than half a century.

aerial view of the site | all images courtesy of albright-knox art gallery
 
 
inspired by buffalo?s weather and the museum?s lush park surroundings, studio other spaces? design comprises a light canopy of glass and mirrors over the courtyard of the museum?s existing 1962 building. ?common sky is an expansive sculpture through which visitors experience the constant motion of the surrounding natural environment,? explains olafur eliasson. ?the changing light conditions, the passing clouds, the progression of the sun over the course of the day, the flow of the seasons all resonate within this warm, welcoming space.?
view of the north building from iroquois drive
 
 
the work also intends to create a connection to the outside by allowing nature to extend into the courtyard through a hollow ?trunk?, where rain can fall and snow can collect in the winter. ?common sky is an instrum...