This is shaping up to be an exciting appetizer to the SFMOMA's main course: the Berkeley Art Museum's 10 shortlisted architects have all been sent letters inviting them to craft proposals turning an old UC printing plant into the museum's new home. BAM's been tightlipped about who the favored designers actually are, but John King thinks Bernard Tschumi Architects, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, and Will Bruder + Partners are in. To that list, the Architect's Newspaper adds: Ann Beha, Snøhetta, Rafael Viñoly, and Frederick Fisher — leaving only three unknown, assuming the above are correct. Snøhetta, if you'll recall, is also rumored to be in the running for SFMOMA's expansion, but it should be noted that BAM was on record saying all the firms are North American, and Snøhetta's a little more Norwegian than that implies (maybe their NYC office counts as American?).
· Berkeley Art Museum: Yet More Contenders [Arch Paper]
· Berkeley Art Museum Sends Courtship Letters Out to Architects [Curbed SF]
· Berkeley Art Museum Plans to Take Over Old UC Printing Plant [Curbed SF]
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