Rothko Chapel and Visitors Center

The Rothko Chapel is a non-denominal space for spiritual contemplation featuring fourteen original murals by Mark Rothko. It was designed by Rothko in 1971 with architects Philip Johnson, Howard Barnstone, and Eugene Aubry. The Chapel renovation and campus expansion improves the visitor experience, while preserving the unity of art and architecture within the Chapel.

Central to the Chapel renovation is a new skylight and baffle system that adjust natural illumination inside. Selective local stiffening of the existing steel roof structure supports the skylight structure. GNA also worked with IMEG to develop a procedure to reinforce the Chapel’s original concrete masonry wall structure. Three new buildings on the campus expand the Chapel’s program to include a visitor’s center, archival storage, and administrative, office and event spaces. The new structures are a combination of steel and mass timber elements designed for efficient spans and feature elegant, exposed connections.