Menil Collection, Art museum in central Houston, United States
The Menil Collection spans across 30 acres, featuring multiple buildings that house exhibitions of ancient artifacts, contemporary art, and specialized galleries.
Philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil established the museum in 1987, selecting architect Renzo Piano to design the main structure within a residential area.
The museum exhibits works from numerous artistic movements, including pieces by Matisse, Picasso, Magritte, and dedicated spaces for Cy Twombly and Dan Flavin.
Located at 1533 Sul Ross Street, the museum operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM with free admission for all visitors.
The surrounding neighborhood contains multiple gray-painted bungalows purchased by the Menil Foundation, creating a unified visual connection with the museum building.
Location: Houston
Inception: 1987
Founders: Dominique de Menil, John de Menil
Architects: Renzo Piano
Official opening: 1987
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11:00-19:00
Phone: +(713)5259400
Website: https://menil.org
GPS coordinates: 29.73722,-95.39861
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:39
Houston combines culture, science, and entertainment. The Space Center showcases space technology, while museums present art and natural sciences. Parks and sports facilities complement the urban offerings. The city features theaters, an aquarium, and historical architecture in the Heights district.
Renzo Piano, born in Genoa in 1937, has developed an architectural language over five decades that combines technical precision with human scale. His buildings are characterized by transparent facades, visible structural elements, and the integration of natural light. The Centre Pompidou in Paris, completed in 1977 with Richard Rogers, displays building services on the exterior. The Whitney Museum in New York uses industrial materials within a residential neighborhood. The Shard in London reaches 309 meters with a glass facade that reflects daylight. His cultural buildings connect function with urban context. The Fondation Beyeler in Riehen near Basel sits within a park with glass walls between interior and exterior spaces. The Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome comprises three concert halls with different acoustics. Kansai Airport in Osaka stands on an artificial island with a 1.7-kilometer terminal. Piano received the Pritzker Prize in 1998 for his work.
Houston combines science institutions, museums and urban parks. Space Center presents space exploration, while natural science and art museums display international collections. Parks and gardens provide recreation within city limits.
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