New Museum Architecture
Columbus Museum of Art Expansion Campaign
The Challenge
As the Columbus Museum of Art prepared to open a major new wing, the museum asked us to create a short video that would promote the expansion and communicate its significance to the public.
At the time, the space had not yet been photographed. The only available visual materials were architectural renderings and technical schematics, which did not lend themselves to an emotionally engaging story. The challenge was to bring the new space to life and help audiences understand why it mattered, without relying on traditional visuals.
The Insight
During early conversations with the client, one detail stood out. Every time the architect was mentioned, the energy in the room changed. The client spoke passionately about his vision and shared hand drawn concept sketches he had created while designing the space.
Those drawings were not just planning tools. They were expressive, intentional, and artistic in their own right.
The realization was that the architecture itself was a work of art, and the story should begin with the creative process behind it.
The Creative Approach
I proposed using the architect’s original hand drawn sketches as the foundation of the video. By animating the drawings, we could reveal the space as an idea before it became a structure, much like the art the museum exists to showcase.
The animation brought the sketches to life, allowing lines, shapes, and forms to evolve naturally into the final vision of the building. The approach created a human connection to the space and emphasized the thought and care that went into its design.
A writer collaborated with me to shape the narrative around how the new wing would be used, focusing on memory, connection, and experience rather than square footage or technical details. I also incorporated subtle design elements, including the architect’s signature, as a quiet nod to authorship and intent.
The Result
The final piece presented the new wing as an artistic extension of the museum rather than a construction project. The client strongly embraced the concept, and the work resonated because it reflected how they felt about the space themselves.
By centering the story on creative intent, the video helped audiences see the expansion as something meaningful before ever stepping inside.
What This Project Demonstrates
This project reflects my ability to listen closely to clients, recognize what they value most, and translate that insight into a creative solution. By reframing limitations as opportunities, I developed an approach that connected architecture, storytelling, and emotion in a way that felt authentic and memorable.
