A museum that refuses to behave: sharp volumes, awkward beauty, and a sculpture garden next door that resets your brain.
Contemporary art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
Featured in Herzog & de Meuron's definitive monograph, Herzog & de Meuron: Natural History.
Visitor Guide
Do the indoor galleries first, then decompress outside in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden — the contrast is the curatorial thesis.
From Vineland Place looking toward the main massing; late afternoon for long shadows and a readable façade texture.
You can go inside. Hours and admission vary by season; there are frequent free/discount windows (notably evening/free days) and the Sculpture Garden is free.
Herzog & de Meuron’s best moves are often ‘boring’ up close: junctions, edges, and how volumes meet the ground. Hunt those, not the postcard.
2–3 hours
Design & Structure
Museum logistics (loading, back-of-house, climate control) integrated with a bold public face; digital coordination to keep irregular volumes constructible and serviceable.
Mixed envelope (glass, metal, masonry) calibrated for the Midwest light: crisp in snow, heavy in summer haze.
Complex gallery boxes hung off a rational structural grid; stability and vibration control matter more than you think for art walls.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Walker Art Center — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Herzog & de Meuron
View all →
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
De Young Museum
Parrish Art Museum
Elbphilharmonie
Cartoonmuseum Basel – Centre for Narrative Art
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Nearby in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Central Library
Guthrie Theater
Gaviidae Common
Wells Fargo Center (Minneapolis)
Weisman Art Museum
Christ Church Lutheran (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Walker Art Center?+
Walker Art Center was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and completed in 1927. It is located in Minneapolis, United States.
Where is Walker Art Center located?+
Walker Art Center is located in Minneapolis, United States. Its coordinates are 44.9681°, -93.2886°.
When was Walker Art Center built?+
Walker Art Center was completed in 1927. It was designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Can I visit Walker Art Center?+
Walker Art Center is a real building in Minneapolis that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.