Bowdoin College OKs renovation design

BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin College trustees have approved a new design for the renovation of the Walker Art Building that, unlike an earlier plan, meets the approval of historic preservationists.

“This is a tremendous improvement over what was initially offered,” said Earle G. Shettleworth Jr., director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

Renovation plans made public last spring called for removal of part of the grand staircase leading up to the entrance to the 110-year old museum.

The removal of the staircase, college officials said at the time, was intended to make the building more accessible.

But the idea drew howls of protest from Shettleworth and historians from Maine Preservation, a private nonprofit group. They argued that removing the staircase and altering the facade would have destroyed what they called one of the best examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in Maine.

The college then decided to send its architects back to the drawing board to consider alternative designs.

The preliminary plan approved by trustees was designed by Machado & Silvetti Associates of Boston. It includes construction of a new detached entrance pavilion on the south side with stairs leading down to a new lower-level entrance.

The design also calls for construction of a rear addition that will provide new gallery space and a view into the interior of the building from the street.

“Our architects have responded beautifully to the formidable challenges presented by this complicated and sensitive project,” said Bowdoin College President Barry Mills. “Everyone who has seen the revised plans is thrilled with the result.”

Bowdoin trustees in May approved the renovation of the Walker Art Building, home of the Bowdoin art museum and one of the state’s most important art collections. It includes 14,000 objects valued at over $100 million.

The revised design has added $2 million to what had originally been an $18 million renovation and restoration project.

The renovation plan calls for the installation of a climate-control system to preserve the collection and additional gallery space.