The woven facade tempers the intense Aspen sun. "I tried to open the museum to the street and plaza," says Ban, who points out that he intended for the main building to be "totally practical, to contrast with the handmade craftsmanship." Architectural rendering of the lobby and main interior entrance area of the new Aspen Art Museum on the East Hyman Avenue side. Image courtesy of the Aspen Art Museum and Shigeru Ban Architects (SBA). Photo 4 of 5 in Preview: Shigeru Ban's First Permanent U.S. Museum by Erika Heet

Preview: Shigeru Ban's First Permanent U.S. Museum

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The woven facade tempers the intense Aspen sun. "I tried to open the museum to the street and plaza," says Ban, who points out that he intended for the main building to be "totally practical, to contrast with the handmade craftsmanship."

Architectural rendering of the lobby and main interior entrance area of the new Aspen Art Museum on the East Hyman Avenue side. Image courtesy of the Aspen Art Museum and Shigeru Ban Architects (SBA).