Boston Valley Celebrates 15 Years of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
15 facts about the Bechtler in Charlotte that don’t involve the Firebird statue
SOURCE: The Charlotte Observer
AUTHOR: Virginia Brown
DATE: December 31, 2024
One of Boston Valley’s first projects to utilize a curved panel, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art celebrates its 15th anniversary in January 2025. Known for its significant modern art collection, the museum is also a notable example of modern architectural ceramics. Designed by award winning Swiss architect Mario Botta, the Bechtler Museum emphasizes the linear planes of a Boston Valley TerraClad® panel system that elegantly wraps the building in a custom through-body clay color with several custom profile panels, including a custom rainscreen application around a 15-meter-high graduating radius column clad in terra cotta at the entrance.
The Bechtler’s architectural design also includes a glass atrium that diffuses natural light throughout the space, with a fourth floor extending out over the plaza over that single column. The building’s fusion of art and architecture creates a visually compelling experience, with the terra cotta façade serving as a defining feature of the museum’s identity.
In-progress views of the Bechtler Museum façade installation can be seen below.
