Clyfford Still Museum: Allied Works Architecture

The Clyfford Still Museum was designed by the leading architectural practice Allied Works and its founder, Brad Cloepfil. The building creates space for the voice and artistic vision of American painter Clyfford Still (1904-1980), housing the vast majority of his creative output over a sixty-year period. The museum’s design is inspired by the work of Still and by its monumental context: the site is located at the intersection of prairie and mountains, within an urban district of major cultural buildings, vacant lots, historic housing, and new development. The building looks to the earth as a source of silence and profound connection to the elemental forces the artist explored through his painting.

This publication presents the vision and realization of the museum from initial concepts to completion. A rich collection of stories, artifacts, documents, and conversations trace the evolution of the building and Allied Works’ unique creative process. New essays and photography examine its significance within contemporary architectural discourse and the singular experience of the completed work.