The iconic Texas studio and living space of renowned American designer Donald Judd will reopen to the public later this month following an extensive seven-year restoration project. The comprehensive effort, led by architects Troy Schaum and Rosalyne Shieh, included not only the original restoration work but also recovery efforts after a devastating fire struck the building in 2021.
The ambitious restoration project began in 2018 through a collaboration between the Judd Foundation and Schaum Architects, formerly known as Schaum/Shieh. The architects focused on making what they described as "subtle interventions" to the historic building, with the primary goal of leaving "little trace" of their work while preserving Judd's original vision. The project included restoring and repainting the building's facade and optimizing the interior climate conditions specifically for the display of design and art objects.
"We have learned through this work that strategically not doing something is much more difficult than producing the new," explained Troy Schaum, founding principal of Schaum Architects. "We like making new things too, but it is conceptually much more challenging to work through measured restraint. These are projects in which, if we are successful, our hands as designers will leave little trace."
The 5,000-square-foot building has a rich history, originally constructed in 1907 as a boarding house and grocery store. Donald Judd purchased the structure in 1990 and used it as his main architecture office until his death in 1994. The two-story building features a distinctive layout with Judd's office positioned toward the beveled entrance on the first floor, along with two gallery spaces at the back. The upper floor contains several smaller rooms, including another office, three bedrooms, a dining room, and a kitchen.
The restoration work began with extensive facade repairs, including patching leaks, rebuilding original wood windows, and refinishing original brass elements. Rosalyne Shieh, who co-led the architecture practice Schaum/Shieh with Schaum during the earlier phases of the project, emphasized the meticulous attention to detail required. "The brickwork was done meticulously, interior and out to match the historic configuration and the 'raked joint' condition in which Donald Judd had left the project," she said.
The team worked through numerous mock-ups and sampling processes to ensure both the technical effectiveness of their solutions and the preservation of intangible qualities that define the building's character. "We worked closely through many mock-ups and sampling until everyone was comfortable with both the efficacy of the technical solution and also the intangible qualities that are trickier to describe without witnessing them," Shieh explained.
The second phase of the project in 2020 concentrated on updating the interior spaces. Beyond essential restoration work such as stabilizing the floors, the team implemented light mechanical equipment and passive systems throughout the building. These improvements were designed to maintain optimal environmental conditions for displaying Judd's furniture, art, and design objects while remaining as unobtrusive as possible.
Just as the restoration was nearing completion in 2021, disaster struck when a fire broke out in the building. The blaze resulted in a collapsed roof and extensive damage to much of the second floor. Fortunately, according to reports from the New York Times, the office was largely empty of valuable objects at the time due to the ongoing restoration work, preventing potentially catastrophic losses to Judd's collection.
Following the fire damage, the project team used the opportunity to further update the building with modern energy-efficient systems. These additions included rooftop solar panels and LED lighting throughout the structure. They also incorporated other contemporary elements while maintaining historical accuracy, such as a new steel canopy that matches the original early 1900s design aesthetic.
Donald Judd's Architecture Office is scheduled to open to the public in late September 2025. This reopening follows the successful restoration of Judd's home and office in Manhattan, which was completed in 2013. The Marfa office restoration represents a significant component of the larger Marfa Restoration Plan undertaken by the Judd Foundation to systematically update and preserve the designer's various buildings throughout the Texas town.
The comprehensive restoration effort extends beyond just the Architecture Office. Schaum/Shieh Architects previously completed the restoration of the John Chamberlain building in Marfa in 2022, an art gallery that also forms part of the broader Judd complex. The foundation's current plans also include extensive work on another exhibition space known as The Block, demonstrating their commitment to preserving Judd's complete artistic legacy in Marfa.
The Judd Foundation remains extremely active in maintaining and protecting the artist's legacy across all his properties and works. This dedication to preservation was notably demonstrated last year when the foundation took legal action against Kim Kardashian for misidentifying Judd tables in her SKKN offices, highlighting their commitment to accurate representation of the designer's work and maintaining the integrity of his artistic vision.
