This museum houses a collection of Northwest Coastal Native American art, an extensive Chinese art collection, and other European and Classical art. It is the seventh oldest museum in the United States and the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest. The Evan H. Roberts Sculpture Mall is a public plaza and outdoor gallery consisting of three elements: an open forecourt, enclosed sculpture roof terrace, and public passageway. The Sculpture Mall`s material vocabulary suggests transparency while delineating a precise and secure space for display. Moveable platforms with mounts for temporary walls provide curatorial flexibility. Community access was of particular interest in the project`s development, as it is located in the former right of way for a public street. Situated in an urban context, the site posed the challenge of enabling access from the adjacent street while ensuring security. The desire to keep the sculpture terraces visually connected after closing hours conflicted with a concern for the art collection. The perimeter design resolved this issue by providing a secure structure with visual permeability from the adjacent street and walkway.
