Reconstruction is scheduled to double the size of the Palmer Museum of Art.

"We've just outgrown the museum in terms of space," said Charles Garoian, assistant director at the museum.

James C. Moeser, dean of the college of Arts and Architecture, estimated the cost of the project at $4.9 to $5.2 million. So far, $4.2 to $4.3 million has been raised, $2.1 million from the Palmers and about $2 million from private contributors, Moeser said.

Out of three candidates, the Palmer Museum of Art board of trustees chose architect Charles W. Moore to design the building's addition.

"I am absolutely delighted to have Mr. Moore, there couldn't have been a better choice," said Kahren Arbitman, director of the museum.

"We're talking about one of the big names in architecture today, and we are fortunate he is willing to take on a small project like this," said Garoian.

Garoian said Moore has previously designed two other university museums, the Williams College Museum of Art and the Hood Art Museum at Dartmouth.

"I am looking forward to working with Mr. Moore because of the way he works," he said. "He has 'workshops' to generate concepts of what his clients need in the building, and then he builds by the needs of his clients."

Having an internationally renowned architect create the additions to the museum has its advantages, Garoian said. First, it will most likely be an important study for architecture students and second, it will probably be published in architectural digests as an important Charles Moore work. It will give the museum credibility not only for its collection but for the edifice itself, he said.

Moore will work with staff representatives from several different departments and boards that have a stake in the museum's outcome.

Representatives from the College of Arts and Architecture, the Board of Trustees, and the museum staff will comprise the majority.

"There are going to be a lot of benefits to the students and faculty once the building is complete," said Garoian. The additional wing will allow for space to keep the museum's permanent collection of more than 3,000 works on display for long-term studies by fine art and art history students.

"There will be five principal galleries and a print / draw room so that we will become more of a real museum" Moeser said. "Hopefully it will attract some major private collections for the museum."

The wing will also allow the museum to continue to build its collection by providing room to store and protect the works. An auditorium seating 125 to 150 people will also be built so the programs and lectures that the museum offers will not interfere with the exhibits and endanger the art.

The plans were introduced approximately four years ago, and are now entering the final steps, Moeser said. The museum will be expanded from 20,884 to 51,534 square feet.

It is unknown as of yet whether the museum will be closed during construction.

"It will be closed depending on whether or not the building will create any hazards (such as dust) to the exhibitions,"said Garoian. "As to when construction starts, I suspect it will take a year for the drawings and building should start immediately after."