From Barriers to Invitation: Making MONA Approachable

Historically, the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) facade presented a challenge: an opaque front and a series of steep steps created a physical and symbolic barrier. For many, the museum felt imposing, not welcoming. The reimagined design changes that story. By recessing the new addition from the original facade and introducing an accessible plinth and transparent entry points, MONA now extends an open invitation to the public. The building’s approachability embodies the museum’s broader mission: making art and culture accessible to all.

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