Museum director James Steward describes Cloepfil's design as "warm minimalism," adding that the operating visual metaphor for the design was that of a lantern. "From dusk on," he says, "the expansion will emanate light, literally inviting you inside. You'll see people moving through the gallery spaces, as well as up and down the stairwells." And the views of the surrounding campus and city from within, Steward adds, "are going to be unspeakably cool."

Cloepfil's design has already won an award from the New York branch of the American Institute of Architects. The aim is to turn a museum that always felt cloistered from campus life into a mixed-use arts center that will buzz with film screenings, community meetings and lectures 'til the midnight hours -- creating what Steward calls "a civic space."