Schaum Architects to Restore Donald Judd's Artillery Sheds in Texas

The Artillery Sheds, two massive structures at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas, are set to undergo restoration led by Texas studio Schaum Architects. The sheds, originally 1930s military buildings, were repurposed by Donald Judd in the 1980s as permanent storehouses and exhibition spaces for his work.

## Restoration Approach Schaum Architects will serve as design architect on the project, taking an approach of editing around the edges to keep the buildings true to Judd's vision while updating them for contemporary mechanical systems. The studio's founder, Troy Schaum, notes that the interior and exterior of the buildings are linked, requiring an integrated approach to the restoration.

The goal of the renovation is to maintain the quiet and low-carbon operation of the building, with a focus on moderating extremes rather than chasing a static, museum-standard environment. The team will use the existing concrete expansion joints to install low-energy, solar-powered filtration systems to circulate air, and re-treat and replace the glass on the facade to create positive pressure and exclude dust.

## Project Details The restoration will include the implementation of kicker braces around the edges of the metal roof to create properly sized gutters for the first time, and better secure the roof against the wind. Water runoff from the new gutter system will feed the restored landscape system planned for the site. The landscape aspect will include restoration of parts of the site still degraded from its former military use, as well as the implementation of an ADA-compliant walking path.

## Team and Timeline Schaum Architects will work alongside members of the Chinati Foundation, including executive director Caitlin Murray, director of preservation and planning Stephen Martin, and head of conservation Bogna Skwara, as well as a team of specialists. The Artillery Sheds will be closed during construction, with the aluminium works removed for the first time since their installation, while the rest of the museum will remain open. The photography is by Alex Marks.

The restoration of the Artillery Sheds is a significant project, with the team seeking to balance the long-term needs of the art with energy demands and the experiential cost of fully conditioning the space. Schaum Architects' approach places them at the leading edge of a shift in conservation practice worldwide, and their work on this project will be closely watched by those in the field.