The Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas designed by Renzo Piano and the neighboring 42-story Museum Tower are embroiled in a dispute revolving around the adverse effects of glare reflecting into the Nasher’s interior gallery and garden. Currently in mediation over possible solutions, the topic certainly brings to light the implications involved in highly glazed high-rise construction and the surrounding buildings. More details after the break.
The Nasher Sculpture Center opened in 2003, and typical of many cultural institutions increased the value and appeal of surrounding land – which would eventually lead to the construction of the Museum Tower. A key element in these types of buildings is the careful control of sunlight in order to protect the internal exhibits. Thus, the Nasher was equipped with custom aluminum sunscreens over its glazed barrel vaulted roof with specifically oriented oculi to the north. The parcel of land adjacent to the Nasher, which is now home to the Museum Tower originally had a covenant to limit the amount of reflective glazing which could adversely impact the Meyerson Symphony Center and the as yet to be built but developing Nasher Sculpture Center. However, that stipulation expired prior to construction of the new tower.
