The Turner-Wohlsen joint venture (JV) has been selected to deliver a $100m transformation of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art campus in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, US.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the new campus expected to open to the public in late 2029, according to Brandywine.
The centrepiece of the project will be a new 40,000ft² museum building designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates in partnership with Schwartz/Silver Architects.
This addition is set to provide 14,000ft² of new gallery space, which will increase the museum’s total exhibition capacity across both buildings by 80%, reaching almost 20,000ft².
Alongside the new construction, the historic Mill building, originally a mid-19th-century grist mill, will undergo further renovations.
After suffering damage in 2021 from Hurricane Ida, the structure recently underwent flood-hardening works, including submarine-grade technology to protect it from further severe flooding.
The latest phase of renovations will add a new interactive exhibit focused on the conservancy’s land and water conservation work, as well as a studio art classroom and enhanced spaces for educational programming and special events.
Expanding beyond the museum structures, the plans will transform the existing 15-acre campus into a 325-acre public preserve and garden designed by Field Operations. It will unify the campus into a single cultural destination, with the museum and preserve functioning together to provide opportunities for exploration and education.
The redesigned landscape will incorporate ten miles of trails looping through the grounds, connecting the two museum buildings and providing access to the studios of renowned American artists NC Wyeth and Andrew Wyeth.
Interpretive installations along the trails will highlight both the Brandywine’s conservation efforts and its artistic history.
Turner senior project manager Matt Curry said: “We are honoured to partner with the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art on this extraordinary project. This transformation will create a wonderful experience where visitors can engage with art, history, and the natural environment in new and meaningful ways. It’s exciting to be part of a project that will have such a lasting cultural impact.”
The Brandywine Conservancy reports that nearly 50% of the estimated project cost has already been raised from donors as of May 2026.
