Center for the Study of Prints, Drawings and Photographs and Center for Matisse Studies

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) expanded its commitment to research, teaching, and public scholarship with the creation of two adjoining centers dedicated to works on paper and the study of Henri Matisse. Designed by Quinn Evans, the Nancy Dorman and Stanley Mazaroff Center for the Study of Prints, Drawings and Photographs and the Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies occupy the museum’s first floor and provide purpose-built environments that support conservation, close study, and public engagement while welcoming scholars and visitors alike.

Collections Care for Works on Paper and the Matisse Collection

Works on paper—among the most environmentally sensitive materials in museum collections—represent a significant portion of the BMA’s holdings. The Mazaroff Center supports the care and study of more than 67,000 prints, drawings, and photographs through a combination of exhibition galleries, study and preparatory rooms, offices, and enhanced collections storage. Specialized cold storage for photographic materials allows the museum to maintain the precise environmental conditions required for long-term preservation while expanding public and scholarly access.

Adjacent to it, the Marder Center for Matisse Studies focuses on the museum’s internationally significant collection of works by Henri Matisse. Gallery, study, and library spaces support research, teaching, lectures, and conferences while safeguarding more than 1,000 works by the artist, including three monumental stained-glass windows. Together, the centers balance conservation requirements with active use, reinforcing the BMA’s role as both a steward of cultural heritage and a center for academic inquiry.

Engineering Systems That Support Museum Stewardship

A long-time consultant to the BMA, Mueller Associates served as the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineer for both centers. Mueller designed advanced climate-control systems to maintain tightly controlled temperature, humidity, and air-quality conditions essential to preserving works on paper. The firm also integrated specialized pre-action sprinkler and clean-agent fire suppression systems to enhance the protection of the museum’s irreplaceable collections.

The project required close collaboration with the architect and design team to integrate modern building systems within a historic museum environment. In one instance, Mueller adapted HVAC routing to accommodate a significant historic stone archway incorporated into the new center, preserving the artifact while maintaining system performance. Through this collaborative approach, Mueller’s largely unseen systems quietly support the museum’s mission of preservation, access, and scholarship.

Read more about Mueller’s work at the BMA in our Momentum newsletter.