Portland Art Museum Rothko Pavilion Expansion and Campus Renovation

Unifying Portland’s Cultural Heart

Since 1932, the Portland Art Museum has served as a cornerstone of the region’s cultural identity. Over decades of growth and multiple expansions, the campus was spread across two separate buildings connected by basement level spaces, creating accessibility and wayfinding challenges for visitors.  

Through a collaborative partnership between the Portland Art Museum, Hennebery Eddy Architects, Vinci Hamp Architects, and Mortenson, a transformative 95,000-square-foot renovation was delivered to reimagine the visitor experience and unify the campus.  

Building Without Boundaries

Delivering this transformation was a true test of precision, creativity, and collaboration. The journey began with years of careful planning, laying the groundwork for a multi-phased construction strategy designed to keep the museum’s doors open to the public at every stage.  

As work unfolded, the project team faced the unique challenge of building on an active campus—sequencing construction around ongoing gallery operations, weaving modern systems into century-old structures, and working within the tight constraints of a bustling downtown environment. Throughout the process, a collaborative CM/GC approach fostered open communication and partnership, allowing the team to prioritize safety and minimize disruption while bringing the museum’s bold vision to life. 

The technical complexity was significant: linking critical building systems from heating to security to power and IT infrastructure across three structures, installing in-slab radiant heating beneath stone floors, and preserving historic finishes while introducing new infrastructure. The project also included comprehensive seismic upgrades to enhance the safety and resilience of the historic buildings—an essential investment for the long-term protection of both the collection and the public. Thousands of granite pavers were set with millimeter precision, and at the heart of this vision is the Rothko Pavilion—a striking glass structure to physically connect the Main and Mark Buildings. The pavilion features internationally sourced fritted glass panels and aligns 13 distinct floor elevations to create a seamless visitor experience.  

The result: a revitalized, accessible campus with renovated galleries, classrooms, and gathering spaces, complemented by new terraces, plazas, and expanded retail and café areas. 

Building for the Future

This expansion is more than a construction project; it is a promise to create inclusive spaces for art, conversation, and connection. Universal design principles ensure every visitor enters through the main entrance, and new amenities—from expanded galleries and experiential art spaces to a relocated library and vibrant café—invite people to linger and engage. With nearly 100,000 square feet of new and renovated space and hundreds of new works ready for display, the museum is poised to remain a dynamic cultural destination for generations to come.