# Transparent Mountainside Museums The Aspen Art Museum Boasts a Stunning Timber Facade By Rebecca Byers | Published 2015-05-20 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-museum References: [retaildesignblog.net](http://retaildesignblog.net/2014/09/13/aspen-art-museum-by-shigeru-ban-architects-aspen-colorado/) & [shigerubanarchitects](http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com/works/p13_aspen-art-museum/index.html) The recently completed [Aspen Art Museum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upscale-mountainous-hotels-mollie-aspen-is-inspired-by-japanese-and-scandin) is a magnificent transparent structure located in downtown Aspen with an epic hilly background. The mountainside museum was designed by [Shigeru Ban Architects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shigeru-ban-2), which is the first permanent museum by Ban in the United States. The dizzying structure is an architectural gem and arguably a work of art in itself. The lattice-like, boxy wooden facade provides a deep contrast to the vibrant green hills and bright blue skies that surround it. The Aspen Art Museum also features a glass elevator, a [rooftop sculpture garden](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cmp-inspiration) and an epic grand staircase. The museum was conceived around the concept of transparency and open view planes and provides almost a clear view of the exterior from inside. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 64% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Transparent Museums:** Designing museums with transparent facades and open view planes providing a clear view of the interior from the exterior. - **Timber Facades:** Creating boxy wooden facades as a contrast to the natural environment and incorporating it in architectural designs. - **Rooftop Sculpture Gardens:** Incorporating rooftop gardens in museum designs for a visually stunning experience. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture:** Utilizing transparency and open view planes in building designs to create visually exciting structures. - **Art:** Creating museum spaces that serve as a work of art in themselves. - **Tourism:** Designing museums with stunning facades and rooftop gardens as tourist attractions to attract visitors. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wooden Roof Japanese Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-city-museum.md) - [Textured Glass Landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helsinki-design-and-architecture-museum.md) - [Woodland Arts Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waterhouseoyama.md) - [Cascading Aluminum Pipe Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audeum-museum.md) - [University Art Landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/princeton-university-art-museum.md) - [Environmentally Harmonious Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naoshima-new-museum-of-art.md) - [Paper-Inspired Artful Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-for-papirkunst.md) - [Art Museum Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiao-feng-art-museum.md) - [White Concrete Boxy Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-modern-art.md)