The Chazen Museum of Art has completed the major design phase for its building expansion and invites the University of Wisconsin and Madison community to a special informational meeting. Architects from Machado and Silvetti Associates and Continuum Architects + Planners will present detailed renderings and floor plans that include a grand glass-walled lobby, a plaza on the future Murray Street pedestrian mall, a third-floor gallery plan unified by a dramatic bridge, a new Museum Shop, and more. The drawings and proposed building materials represent the final design for the expansion, save for refinements to be finished by this summer.

The Peterson building, on the site of the Chazen’s new building, is already undergoing demolition. Groundbreaking for the expansion is expected in early 2009, with completion in early 2011. The world-class design adds approximately 72,000 square feet to the museum, with more gallery space for the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, object study rooms, storage for artwork, and a 160-seat auditorium for lectures and films.