Best Project Cultural/Worship: Frances M. Maguire Art Museum at Saint Joseph's University
Located in an active 12-acre arboretum, the historic 1920s building was transformed into a contemporary, dynamic, flexible gallery space for rotating exhibits, the university’s art collection, integrated teaching spaces and art conservation. The building, with its unusual architectural elements and priceless artifacts, demanded exceptional care during its refurbishment, the submitting organization says.
The COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain uncertainties forced the project team into a transatlantic scramble to secure sufficient quantities of replacement limestone from the original French quarry that would accurately match the building’s original 1920s-era facade and help the team finish the 17-month renovation on schedule and at budget.