richard and carol cocks art museum

The Miami University Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum, completed in 1978, houses 3 acres of sculpture park grounds, 5 rotating galleries, and an ever-growing permanent collection of artwork. Designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, these will be the first updates to the building since its completion. In 2024, designLAB, alongside Schooly Caldwell Architects, were enlisted in renovating and expanding the museum in order to optimize and enhance the museum’s educational efforts, exhibitions and research. 

The scope encompasses major architectural changes to key public and back-of-house areas. Key interior renovations include a newly designed lobby and entry sequence, featuring new finishes, lighting, and an enclosed vestibule. The project also entails a complete renovation of the Auditorium, transforming it into a flat-floor event space with flexible seating, updated AV, and acoustic panels. Classroom spaces, both small and large, will receive new finishes, specialized features like slatwall and integrated millwork storage, and updated AV equipment. Office areas are also included in the scope, receiving new finishes and acoustical lay-in ceilings. 

In addition to the interiors, the project addresses the building envelope with a focus on matching existing materials, including replacing wood siding with new cementitious clapboard and replacing glazed walls with new thermally broken curtain wall. New roofing is planned over the vestibule and lobby.