Barnes Foundation to begin construction on new Garden Pavilion

Some big and small changes are coming to the Barnes Foundation this summer.

Museum officials announced yesterday that construction will begin this month on a new 4,000-square-foot Garden Pavilion. The structure will be located on the northeast corner of the Barnes Foundation, closest to Pennsylvania Avenue and 21st Street, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The new addition will provide the museum extra space for educational purposes, as well as lectures and special events. There will also be a dining space in the pavilion.

What will the pavilion look like? The same architects behind the museum, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, are also responsible for the pavilion, so expect the addition to align with the design of the main building.

Here are some preliminary renderings the Barnes Foundation shared with Curbed Philly.

The current Garden Restaurant will also be closed for the next few months as it undergoes some renovations. It’ll re-open in the spring, with an open-concept open kitchen that you’ll be able to see from the dining room.

While some things will be moved around during construction—the dining service has been moved to the lower level and the coffee bar has been relocated to Annenberg Court—the museum officials say they don’t expect much impact on the visitors’ experience.

In total, the upgrades are expected to cost $5.8 million.

• $5.8M in upgrades coming to Barnes Foundation: Additional education space, restaurant changes [PBJ]