Designed by Charles W. Moore and Chad Floyd in 1985, the Hood Museum of Art is home to some 65,000 objects. Unlike traditional art institutions, the Hood is a teaching museum, cultivating direct engagement between students, visitors and works of art. Over time, the building required numerous repairs, upgrades and additional space to effectively house and display their collection. Visitors also had trouble finding the entrance from the Dartmouth Green. In the renovation, the architects carefully maintained the most distinctive elements of the existing Charles Moore galleries while updating the building envelope and various mechanical systems to ensure the collection’s safety. The expansion includes six additional galleries, a multipurpose lobby, additional storage and the new Bernstein Center for Object-Based Inquiry. On the North side, a new facade with a large vitrine window showcases artwork and enhances the Hood’s presence on the Dartmouth Green. The museum’s previous entry courtyard is now an enclosed, publicly accessible atrium. This space connects the museum, Bernstein Center, and neighboring Hopkins Center while providing a new place for the entire Dartmouth community to meet, study, and host events. The new Hood simultaneously creates campus connections while signifying Dartmouth’s investment and dedication to arts education.
