Burke Museum is a Considered Approach to Back of House Spaces Ensures

The Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture cares for over 16 million artifacts and specimens from throughout the Pacific and Coast Salish region, ranging from totem poles and gemstones to fossils. As a teaching institution affiliated with the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, the Burke seeks to help curators, visitors, educators and students understand the connections between the natural world and cultural heritage, while engaging with and honouring Indigenous communities. 

In the previous building many items were stored unseen in the basement, but the new Burke Museum breaks down traditional barriers between public and ‘back-of-house’ spaces, turning the museum inside-out. Integrating collections and research labs with galleries enables visitors to engage with the process of scientific discovery in a true working museum. 

Efficient floor plans provide 66% more area for research and displays. An intuitive circulation spine acts as central corridor, gallery space and exhibit pathway – reducing the building footprint. A large atrium and ‘smart glass’ skylight overhead foster a bright, daylit interior experience, without risking damage to sensitive artifacts. Large windows frame exterior views and allow visitors to orient themselves; likewise, the Burke’s interior is visible to passers-by. 

While most of the Burke Museum’s collections are on display, some are too fragile or culturally significant for public view. A considered approach to back of house spaces ensures that collections are properly housed and provides research staff and volunteers with functional, light-filled workspaces. Storage units can be vertically expanded as collections grow, assuring continued functionality for decades to come. 

Project Information

Architect: Olson Kundig