The Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden Plan Designing in Reverse

Abstract

The article follows the history of the Hirshhorn Museum of Art’s Sculpture Garden in Washington DC and explores the highlights of the proposal that is being considered that will change the present sculpture garden design and layout. There is a summary of sculpture garden design throughout history and a review of the original garden that was designed by Gordon Bundshaft in 1974 and why it was changed by Lester Collins in 1981. It also explores how it has evolved into the present sculpture garden. It discusses the proposed garden design and the critical change the new design will have on the current garden and what are the supposed benefits and criticisms the new plan has caused.