The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art has selected SO-IL, in collaboration with Boulder-based company Coburn Architecture, as its design team for the North Boulder Creative Campus project.

The decision comes after a search that started in May 2024 and applicants from 65 design teams from around the world. SO-IL was chosen after BMoCA narrowed the search down to three finalists in October.

“The new creative campus will definitely help solidify BMoCA’s desire to reach all audiences, and will enable us to better serve our community,” said David Dadone, executive director of BMoCA. “It’s a space that welcomes everyone, and it’s open to the community.”

SO-IL is an internationally recognized firm with offices in New York and Amsterdam. Its local partner, Coburn, has been providing site-specific solutions to development projects in Boulder since 1985.

“There’s a lot of nuances on how to build in Boulder,” Dadone said. “Having the opportunity to work with a firm that has a long track record of building housing and commercial spaces — it’s exciting. We have the right team in place to build this community campus.”

The NoBo Creative Campus is a planned development at 4401 Broadway in North Boulder. The development will include housing, retail, art studios and community green spaces. BMoCA will also have a new, custom-designed building on the campus.The future site of the campus is currently home to a small shopping center. The site plan for the project includes 17,500 square feet of museum space, 17,500 square feet of storefront commercial space, 67 residential units and 96 parking spaces.

The NoBo Creative Campus will feature diverse housing as well as commercial and retail areas. Dadone said BMoCA is excited to develop the west side of Broadway by adding walkable neighborhoods to that part of the city.

BMoCA and its partner, Emerald Development, plan to work with the Boulder community to help design the campus.

Construction is slated to begin in 2027.

“Now that we have identified an architect, and the architects are envisioning this creative campus, there’s going to be a lot of opportunity for the community to share their thoughts,” Dadone said.