Dear Robb,

As a veteran of a museum construction project (designed and built by
firms with no museum experience - like you, we had no say in the
matter), I can tell you to trust your instincts.  Museum staff know what
makes a good or bad museum facility.  If you can find a good consultant
or planning document, so much the better, but don't give away your right
to approval.  There are plenty of award-winning buildings that are lousy
museums - which raises the point, did the architect want acclaim for his
design or did he want to meet the client's needs?  I visited an
award-winner last week that had some big accessibility flaws (IMHO). The
museum I was involved with ended up with a floor-to-ceiling window in
the women's bathroom because the architect said he needed it for
symmetry - yes, the window faced a street and you could see in!!  (The
museum did a window treatment after the fact.)  And if you're going to
display light-sensitive artifacts, don't let the architect talk you into
huge skylights (which will eventually leak - the people who say they
won't aren't the people who have to clean up the mess).

These are just a few issues - Liz pointed out some excellent ones as
well.  Talk to folks who have been through museum construction - we all
have long lists of mistakes not to repeat :) - better yet, have the
architect along with you as you visit new museums and talk with people.
 Unfortunately, shouting seems to come with the territory, but take your
time and come up with a vision before you start.  Good luck!

John Marks

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