The New Burke

The NEW Burke

The Burke Museum is undergoing a multi-year transformation that will culminate in a new museum facility at the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus. The New Burke will break down traditional museum barriers by revealing the collections and research labs of a working museum to visitors. The design of both the architecture and the landscape strives to be honest and simple, to allow the museum’s objects and cultural storytelling to be the focus of the visitor experience.

The major site-design move is the creation of a level ‘yard’ within the sloping site that functions as a grand forecourt and event space for the museum while also accommodating parking. At the south edge of the Burke Yard, seat steps extend into the Camas Field – a level terrace of soil showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s meadow plants, grown and donated by Oxbow Farms.