The Burke Museum

Oct 8

Season 2 • Episode 5
Design vs. Build: The Series

Seattle, WA

The Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture is the oldest public museum in Washington State with a collection of over 18 million artifacts and specimens, ranging from totem poles and gemstones to dinosaur fossils. The problem was the visitors never got to experience the artifacts because they were hidden behind concrete walls in research labs. So, when the Burke received funding for a new building a bold new idea was presented: what if the museum was turned “inside out”? The result was a one-of-a-kind museum experience, but the team faced serious challenges getting the project over the finish line.

Design & Construction Credits

Architect: Olson Kundig
General Contractors: Skanska
Cladding Installer: Sessler, Inc.
Exhibit Design: Evidence Design
Lighting Design: Niteo
Exhibit Fabrication: Pacific Studios
Fossil Mounts: Triebold

Production Credits

Production Company: Pearl MF
Host & Producer: Ben Roberts
Director: James Burniston
Editor: James Burniston, Sharayah Kurowski, Ian West, Mack Gayle, Samantha McDanel, Austin Travis
Color: Cory Berendzen of TBD Post
Post Production Sound: Drew Griffith
Camera Team: James Burniston, Sharayah Kurowski, Austin Travis, Jose Griego
Photography: Kristian Alveo
Additional Photography, Video and Renders provided by: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Olson Kundig, Mikel Amias, Aaron Straight, Soulcraft Allstars, Adam L Weintraub, Aaron Leitz, Stephanie Bower, Gavin Argo, Richard Brown Photography, Kevin MacLeod, Skanska, Lindsay Kunz, Andrew Waits, Stephen Brashear, Jeff Bradley, Jack Storms, Rachel Manning, Chris Cunningham, Rachel Ormiston, Kiest Photography, David Ryder
Additional Stock Footage Provided by: Rick Ray / Pond5, Zenstratus Premium / Pond5, Johnathan001 / Pond5, Lumixar / FilmSupply, Aerial Edge / Filmsupply, Evan Schneider / Filmsupply
Special Thanks to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Olson Kundig, Skanska, Sessler Inc., Tom Kundig, Eldon Tam, Edward Lalonde, Max Tooley, Don Hanley, Rob Robinson, Troy Stahlecker, Vince Phillips