By Anne Levin

Princeton University’s intimate art museum is on track to become considerably larger. The University has selected Sir David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates as design architect, in collaboration with Cooper Robertson as executive architect, for what is being called the new Princeton University Art Museum.

“The reimagined museum will be the cultural gateway between Princeton University, its students, faculty, and the world, a place of mind-opening encounter with art and ideas ‘in the service of humanity,’” said Adjaye. “We are deeply honored to be part of the next chapter of its history.”

The new building will be located on its current site in the center of the campus. But expect “dramatically enlarged space for the exhibition and study of the museum’s encyclopedic collections, special exhibitions, and art conservation, as well as object-study classrooms and office space for the 100-person museum staff,” according to a story on the University website.

“Sir David Adjaye is a renowned architect who has designed superb buildings for some of the world’s most admired cultural institutions,” said Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber. “Having taught on this campus, he understands fully what the University and the art museum are looking to accomplish. I am thrilled that Adjaye Associates and their skilled collaborators at Cooper Robertson will serve as the architects for this project.”

Adjaye, who has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, was a visiting professor at Princeton from 2008 to 2010. He founded Adjaye Associates, which has offices in London, New York, and Ghana. The firm has projects in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Among them: the central pavilion and main exhibition spaces for the 56th Venice Art Biennale (with curator Okwui Enwezor), the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, the Sugar Hill mixed-use social housing and museum scheme in Harlem, and the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.

Ongoing projects include the Ruby City art center for the Linda Pace Foundation in San Antonio, the new home for the Studio Museum in Harlem, the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre next to the Houses of Parliament in London, the National Cathedral of Ghana in Accra, and the headquarters of the International Finance Corporation in Dakar, Senegal.

Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, Adjaye’s influences “range from contemporary art, music, and science to African art forms and the civic life of cities,” according to the University website. “His work spans residential, commercial, corporate, retail, and arts and civic institutions. He is also known for his frequent collaboration with contemporary artists on installations and exhibitions.”

Cooper Robertson, based in New York City, counts the Whitney Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Cleveland Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Museum of Modern Art among its projects. The two firms have collaborated on several projects over the past several years.