A Place to Be Seen: Solving the Gallery Space Shortage

MONA, housed in a 1911 Federalist Revival building in Kearney, Nebraska, has long been the steward of the state’s official art collection. Its holdings represent generations of Nebraska artists—across media, eras, and movements. Yet for decades, the museum simply didn’t have enough gallery space to display that legacy. Many large-scale works remained hidden from public view, and exhibitions were often limited by spatial and logistical constraints. For an institution devoted to visibility and storytelling, this was a fundamental challenge.

The recent expansion and reimagining of MONA directly responds to this need—not with just more square footage, but with purpose-built, flexible galleries designed to elevate and evolve the visitor experience.

New second-floor galleries with soaring 18-foot ceilings now allow for the exhibition of large and monumental works that were previously impossible to display. Curatorial flexibility is embedded in every space—enabling thematic groupings, rotating shows, and deeper engagement with both the permanent collection and contemporary voices.

Photos: Nic Lehoux

The design introduces natural light with care, using glazed thresholds to frame views to Nebraska’s expansive horizon while preserving the integrity of the artwork inside. These visual connections to land and light ground the visitor in the region’s identity, even as they move through a contemporary and adaptable interior.

This expansion is more than an architectural gesture. It’s an affirmation: that Nebraska’s art deserves to be seen, studied, and celebrated. That the public deserves access to the full richness of its cultural legacy. And that museums in rural places can lead in making art accessible—not just in content, but in experience.

In revealing what was once hidden, MONA opens the door to new narratives, new audiences, and new possibilities. The expansion is not an endpoint—it’s a platform for the future, ready to grow with the community it serves.

By creating more space for stories, MONA reaffirms its role as a living institution—rooted in place, shaped by people, and open to all.

Behind the Scenes Matters: Expanding Art Prep and Storage

The expansion added significant new conservation, prep, and vault areas—including a visible, public-facing art vault that invites visitors to see the often-invisible work of preservation. By investing in these critical “back-of-house” spaces, MONA ensures the longevity of its collection for generations to come.

Behind the Scenes, Vital Work: Expanding Art Preparation and Storage at MONA

When visitors walk through a museum, they often see the polished final result—beautifully curated galleries, inspiring exhibitions, seamless storytelling. What they rarely see is the intricate, often invisible work that makes it all possible.

At the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), that behind-the-scenes work had long been challenged by a lack of space. Limited art preparation areas, insufficient storage, and aging infrastructure placed strain not only on staff, but on the museum’s ability to properly care for Nebraska’s cultural treasures.

As part of MONA’s reimagining, we knew that investing in these hidden but vital spaces was essential. Because a great museum doesn’t just display art—it preserves, protects, and honors it.

The Challenge: Cramped Conditions and Hidden Constraints

Over the years, MONA’s collection grew in both size and significance. Yet its physical capacity to support that growth lagged behind.

Behind the elegant exhibitions, a quiet tension existed: How do you care for a collection that deserves more than the building could give?

The Response: Building Infrastructure for Stewardship

The reimagined MONA answers that question with clarity and commitment.

A greatly expanded basement level now houses state-of-the-art storage, art preparation, and conservation spaces—designed not only to meet today’s best practices, but to anticipate the museum’s future growth.

In short: behind every gallery now stands an infrastructure of excellence.

Celebrating What’s Often Invisible

At MONA, we also made a quiet but powerful choice: to bring some of this behind-the-scenes work into public view.

Rather than relegating the art vault to an inaccessible corner, the design incorporates strategically placed windows, offering visitors glimpses into the art storage areas. This transparency reminds every guest that preservation is part of the museum’s mission—and that the care of art is an act of love, skill, and deep responsibility.

In a world where so much attention goes to what is seen, MONA celebrates what is often unseen: the tireless efforts that make Nebraska’s artistic heritage endure.

A Legacy of Care

Art is memory. It is imagination made tangible. And it is fragile.

By expanding and modernizing its storage and preparation facilities, MONA affirms its role not just as an exhibitor of art, but as a guardian of it.

From Barriers to Invitation: Making MONA Approachable

When BVH Architecture began the journey of reimagining the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), one of the most visible—and symbolic—challenges was the building’s relationship to the community it serves.

The original structure, a 1911 Federalist Revival post office, carried a dignity befitting its historical status. But over time, its stately, opaque façade and prominent staircase created unintended barriers. The building appeared reserved, imposing—even inaccessible. For many visitors, especially those with limited mobility, the steep steps and heavy massing made the museum feel distant, a place to admire from afar rather than a space to step into naturally.

A New Threshold

The opportunity was clear: the museum needed a new kind of welcome—one that honored the historic structure, yet transformed the experience of arrival into one of openness, ease, and belonging.

Our design response began by introducing a universally accessible plinth—a broad, elevated platform that gently rises from the landscape, erasing the need for grand stairs while preserving the ceremonial approach. The new addition, recessed respectfully from the original façade, steps back rather than forward. In doing so, it allows the historic building to maintain its presence while signaling a new era: one that embraces transparency, accessibility, and community connection.

Large glazed openings at ground level invite visitors in visually before they even cross the threshold. Instead of encountering a wall, passersby now glimpse light-filled spaces, art, and activity within. The museum no longer hides its life behind stone; it reveals it, drawing people closer.

Beyond Compliance—Toward Human Dignity

While accessibility was a practical necessity, we viewed it as much more than meeting code requirements. True accessibility is about dignity. It’s about ensuring that everyone—regardless of ability, age, or familiarity with the arts—feels that they belong.

By redesigning MONA’s approach to be both physically and psychologically welcoming, we reinforced a central belief: that art and culture are not for the few, but for the many. The new entry sequence doesn’t diminish the museum’s stature; it elevates its role as a living part of the community.

Photo: Nic Lehoux

The Power of Choice: How Flexible Library Master Plans Can Serve a Growing Community

Designing for Now and Later

Today’s library systems face a growing challenge: how to stay relevant amid evolving technologies, shifting demographics, and unpredictable funding. In this landscape, the most resilient master plans don’t point to a single solution. They offer a range of futures.

That’s what we call the power of choice.

Rather than prescribing one fixed path forward, a flexible master plan presents a framework of options—each grounded in community input, cost modeling, and design feasibility. It allows decision-makers to start small or go big. To act now and dream forward.

A Case in Point: The Columbus Community Building

One of the clearest examples of this approach is the Columbus Community Building in Columbus, Nebraska—a shared civic facility that houses the city’s public library, city hall, and children’s museum under one roof.

This wasn’t simply a new library. It was a reimagining of public service at the civic core—a vibrant, modular, and adaptable building that reflects 21st-century library values. The design process offered the City of Columbus multiple paths: renovation, addition, or entirely new construction. The city ultimately selected a transformational option—but only after carefully weighing each scenario alongside its stakeholders.

The result is a facility that includes a business incubator, a family living room, teen spaces, maker labs, and an “Idea Box” for community display—all designed to flex with changing needs and growing programs.

And crucially: it all began with a choice-based plan.

A Master Plan Is a Decision-Making Toolkit

Across our work in Holdrege, Pender, Lincoln, and Central City, Nebraska, we’ve learned that no single solution can—or should—answer every community’s needs.

Instead, we create choice matrices that present phased, scalable investments such as:

Option A: Strategic renovations to extend the life of existing buildings.
Option B: Targeted expansions to meet modern needs.
Option C: Full-scale transformations—new builds or co-located civic hubs.

This method empowers cities to plan across time—adapting to budget realities without compromising vision. Each option is grounded in real data, community feedback, and long-term sustainability.

Why Flexibility Matters

A flexible master plan helps communities:

In Columbus, the city’s desire for a welcoming civic identity led to the inclusion of a literal “front porch”—a flexible outdoor space that now connects the library, museum, and coffee shop. This simple, powerful gesture grew directly from community visioning, and now serves as a physical symbol of belonging​.

Community-Driven, Data-Backed Design

We’ve seen, time and again, that the most successful plans are not just for the community—they are with the community. Through stakeholder interviews, pop-up engagements, and collaborative design charrettes, we co-create plans that reflect a community’s identity and aspirations.

Our approach mirrors findings from national research, including Gensler’s “New Model for the Public Library” which underscores the importance of social equity, personalization, and flexible design​.

Flexible Doesn’t Mean Indecisive—It Means Empowered

Too often, public projects are presented as binary choices: build or don’t. A flexible master plan disrupts that either/or mindset. It opens space for iteration, for dreaming, for recalibration.

It doesn’t delay decision-making—it enhances it. It invites boldness and responsibility to coexist.

Because when a community is given choices—clear, data-driven, and aligned with its values—it gains more than a building. It gains agency. And that’s the foundation for a truly future-ready library.

Let’s Design for Community, Together

Our vision as designers is to transform lives by creating places that contribute to the vitality of communities. We believe in making the world better through design.

Let’s design for choice. Let’s design for change. Let’s design for the community.

If you’re ready to explore how flexible planning can empower your community’s next chapter, we’d be honored to help.

 

Small Town, Big Vision: The Story Behind Seward’s New Wellness Center

But creating this new town hub wasn’t without its challenges. In the wake of Covid, climbing costs due to rising material prices and inflation caused the city and design team to regroup. The design evolved from two levels to a one-level building and implemented a ‘Construction Manager at Risk’ approach, value engineering, and cost-conscious material choices. Sometimes, a bit of creative thinking leads to even better outcomes. The result? A 50,000 sf facility that checks all the boxes: serving current needs and leaving room for future expansion.

Changing the Game

This Wellness Center is about a healthier, more vibrant Seward community. The facility caters to everyone—from kiddos to grandparents—tackling current health challenges to ensure a healthy community for years to come. 

The project became a community rallying point, with residents raising funds in a matter of months under the leadership of Shane Baack at Seward Changing the Game. “This project is literally a game changer for this community. That is why we named it that way,” said Shane. Seward is building a lasting legacy, one that will bring everyone together to vibe and thrive—connect, exercise, learn, and grow. Plus, it’s already creating new jobs.

Great Design, Tight Budget

Seward Wellness Center Executive Director, Joel Brase, acknowledged the budget hurdles. “This is Seward’s largest-ever public-private partnership.” The team rose to the occasion. Tapping into determined design and community minds, they partnered with Sampson Construction to create schedule efficiencies, account for labor deficits, and leverage cost-effective, sustainable, and practical materials.

Our Goldilocks Moment

We lovingly call it our “Goldilocks Effect”—design challenges aren’t too big, too small, or too tough to tackle. We love how everyone came together so we could fit so much design into the building—and we’re incredibly proud of the final result.

This is what happens when you think outside the box, stretch a dollar, and put community first. We’ll answer that call every time.

Celebrating Staff Promotions

These individuals have consistently gone above and beyond in their roles, demonstrating hard work, dedication, and a true commitment to the mission of BVH—to transform lives by creating places that contribute to the vitality of communities. Congratulations to each of you, and thank you for all you do to help us achieve our vision!

TORI HEUSINKVELT / ASSOCIATE

Tori’s dedication to client care has significantly strengthened our relationships. Her expertise and attention to detail have led to multiple client requests for her involvement in their projects. Internally, she has been a crucial resource, collaborating with the interiors group and managing the firm’s lunch and learn sessions.

DEB MEIROSE / ASSOCIATE

Deb’s skills in keeping BVH financials in order and dedication to ensuring thoroughness and accuracy are highly regarded by everyone who works with her at BVH. Her ‘can do’ attitude is a positive influence and big help to the Lincoln studio and the whole firm. Her tenacity in chasing down details and pushing us all is highly appreciated, as is her diligent work in preparing contract documents. We are grateful you are on the team and recognize your success with a promotion to Associate in the firm.

MADISON WARNEMUNDE / ASSOCIATE

Madison consistently delivers exceptional quality in her work, demonstrating a strong attitude and work ethic. She effectively balances and prioritizes multiple projects, ensuring they are completed on schedule and exceeds expectations. Her attention to detail, creativity, and ability to craft compelling content showcase BVH’s design standards, making her an outstanding Associate within our firm.

MEREDITH DANIELS / SENIOR ASSOCIATE


While Meredith has only been at BVH a short time, her work in honing BVH’s financial systems and thinking have already made a significant impact. Her leadership across the firm and working together with project managers, principals and fellow directors are helping move BVH’s business practices forward. Recently, Meredith’s work with HR issues and advocacy for staff has also demonstrated her strong interpersonal skills which we are all also very appreciative of. These factors all add up to Meredith being fully deserving of the Senior Associate designation.

PHUONG NGUYEN / SENIOR ASSOCIATE


Phuong’s design aptitude has consistently led to successful projects and satisfied clients, earning various accolades. She works tirelessly to improve herself and those around her, taking a significant role in leading design discussions, particularly in the Omaha office. Her deep involvement in the Omaha design community and consistent recognition by her peers are testaments to her great work and commitment.

JEFF PEDERSEN / SENIOR ASSOCIATE


Jeff’s experience, skills and dedication in guiding BVH’s operational systems are commendable. The work he has begun is moving BVH’s practice into a much better organized and efficient operation. His work with his fellow managing directors is helping to move BVH’s leadership to a place where the firm will benefit from greater focus in many aspects. His business development and mentorship of the Denver studio members are appreciated both by staff and leadership. We recognize all that you bring to BVH with your advancement to a Senior Associate in the firm.

GARRETT PETERSON / SENIOR ASSOCIATE


Garrett shows leadership through his everyday work, mentoring others, speaking up to push the team and their designs, while managing multiple projects to success through thoughtful, effective, and efficient workflow. He is highly coachable, maintains a positive attitude, and focuses on design and improving the firm and our work. Garrett has also stepped into more leadership roles recently and is becoming a recognized voice in the Lincoln studio.

TRISTAN VETTER / SENIOR ASSOCIATE


Tristan’s leadership is quiet yet invaluable. His extensive Revit knowledge and ability to communicate design intent through construction documentation are exceptional. His tenacity and dedication to seeing ideas through to completion make him a critical asset to BVH.

ROGER SLOSSON / ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL


Roger has tirelessly worked to advance design and client relations for 36 years. He has become a trusted advisor and friend to many clients who continually look to him for repeat projects. His honed technical skills paired with his excellent design appreciation make him a key project manager who advances design excellence while ensuring the building is functional and operationally efficient for decades to come. His mentorship in the studio, project guidance and leadership in the firm are fully deserving of the Associate Principal designation.

Flexible Learning Environments: Carving Out Space for a Learning Commons

Through our background in educational design, renovation, and historic preservation, BVH designers and architects have found creative ways to re-think even the most challenging of floor plans. The following are a few strategies to consider:

REMOVE LOCKERS

Now that most students have a laptop and fewer books, many schools are finding that they need very few lockers, if any. In schools where lockers are grouped, this can provide a substantial amount of space for flexible learning. Sometimes even corridors lined with lockers will have enough extra square footage to add narrow work areas. Classrooms that line these areas can also be opened up with overhead doors to expand classroom space.

RECONSIDER THE LIBRARY

A recent middle school client recognized that their facility was no longer receiving enough value out of the large amount of square footage allocated to book storage in their library. BVH redesigned the space into a grade-level learning commons and classrooms. After some additional shifting of spaces, the renovated school had a total of three learning commons supporting the core classrooms for each grade. The former library now has a smaller presence in each commons with stored books available on request. Books are curated depending on what students are currently studying and recirculated to keep the selection fresh and appealing.

For school districts that are not ready to transition to a decentralized library, there are other options. Meeting rooms for group projects or specialized work (i.e. 3-d printing) can be added. Flexible furniture that can be configured into “us, me or we” workspaces can replace heavier, traditional furniture. Also, focusing on acoustics is critical. By using acoustical materials on the ceiling and walls, it is possible to have group interaction co-exist alongside quiet, individual work. Not only does this shift give the school more flexibility in how the library is used, it also better reflects the workplaces students will be experiencing when they graduate.

ACTIVATE THE CAFETERIA 

Like libraries, dining areas take up square footage that could be used for learning when they aren’t being used for lunch. A toe in the water approach could be as simple as changing the furniture. Instead of the typical round tables with eight seats, tables of varying heights and sizes could be used. Add casters and you have the ability to reconfigure the cafeteria into a number of dining, learning or special event options. Next steps might be to add power, data and wall-mounted monitors throughout the cafeteria, so that it is a welcome place for laptop use and presentations. In a more extensive renovation, schools could consider opening up perimeter classrooms with overhead doors to make the cafeteria easily accessible for use as a commons.

REMOVE THE EGG FROM THE EGG CRATE

When schools are laid out with classrooms double-loaded along a corridor, known as the ‘egg crate’ floor plan, adding a learning commons can be particularly challenging. One solution is opening up key classrooms to serve as a commons for the surrounding spaces. In schools that are seeing demographic shifts toward lower enrollment, this may be an easy transition. However, schools that are already using every square inch of teaching space may have to examine their facility utilization more carefully. Instead of classrooms belonging to individual teachers, could the classrooms belong to the grade level and the commons be used for part of the day, everyday? Imagine a space with softer seating, writable walls, mini libraries and larger display monitors. The space could transition throughout the year to be used for hands-on science experiments or a research zone to prepare for a social studies presentation. The good news is that even with the most inflexible floor plans, a design team can find ways to re-configure space to meet the learning goals at your school.

At BVH, we know that adding flexible spaces to schools takes more than a renovation project. The re-design requires change management for everyone, which isn’t easy. However, the outcome is worth the effort. After adding flexible learning spaces, our clients have reported better collaboration among students and teachers, and improved student engagement without compromising test scores.

 

We Took a Moment to Ask—Who’s Been Inspiring You?

Shout out to all of the amazing individuals who make up BVH! We will continue to share the ways we inspire one another, grow from each other, and recognize the hard work of our team members.

BVH Architecture Receives Two AIA Nebraska Excellence in Design Awards

We are honored to receive an Architectural Citation Award for the Bridge Park :: Park Bridge project and an Architectural Honor Award for the Metropolitan Community College Automotive Tech Facility. Learn more about each project:

Metropolitan Community College Automotive Tech Facility

Bridge Park :: Park Bridge

Meet Our Newest Principals

MIKE DAILY / PRINCIPAL


Mike is a sought-after project manager, building technology guru, and a mentor to many within BVH. In addition to the great work he oversees for our clients, he is a loyal Teammates mentor and our BVH Tailgate raffle king. We truly appreciate Mike and everything he has done for the firm throughout his career spanning three decades with BVH. Mike’s skills have continued to cultivate BVHs core values in people, knowledge, and wonder. His leadership is appreciated both within the firm and by the repeat clients who come back to him.

MATT SMITH / PRINCIPAL


Matt has provided wise and passionate leadership to BVH clients and our staff over his nine years with the firm. Consistently, clients return to Matt for his thorough project management as well as his ability to work through project challenges. Under his leadership, complex projects and schedules become manageable, achievable goals–producing results clients are proud of. Inside BVH, Matt is a respected team leader who mentors staff and ensures the BVH culture continually grows.

BRYAN SOLKO / PRINCIPAL


Bryan’s leadership on large and complex projects, development of BVH quality assurance, and sustainability efforts within the firm have proven invaluable over his career with BVH. For nearly twenty years at BVH, Bryan’s passion for design and an innate connection to the land have helped lead to simple-yet-creative solutions inherent to their environment. His realistic perspective and demeanor are guideposts for our staff and clients to follow. Beyond his work in the BVH studios, Bryan gives back through many volunteering efforts and his board leadership in the community. We look forward to the future Bryan will build, both for BVH and for our clients.

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