As the cultural heritage sector continues to grapple with its relationship to diversity, equity and inclusion, some institutions are re-considering their social responsibility from the ground up. Enter Maine’s Portland Museum of Art (PMA), which launched an open call last June soliciting “paradigm-shifting” designs from architecture firms all over the world. After receiving more than 100 proposals, the museum narrowed the field to four finalists in November and then, on 9 January, selected the winner, a design by the the sustainability-minded firm Lever Architecture.
The firm, which has offices in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, will lead the design team for the PMA’s expansion and renovation, which will include construction of a brand new wing and improvements to the four buildings comprising its existing campus. In a statement, Mark Bessire, director of the PMA, calls…