The Burke Brise Soleil—a key feature of the Quadracci Pavilion at the Milwaukee Art Museum—is a striking kinetic sculpture reminiscent of a giant bird in flight. Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this moving installation marked his debut in dynamic architectural design. The structure features flexible steel fins that respond to shifting environmental conditions, gracefully opening and unfolding to evoke the motion of wings.

The Quadracci Pavilion owes its existence to philanthropists Harry and Betty Quadracci, who contributed $10 million toward the museum’s expansion. In 1994, the selection committee chose Calatrava for the ambitious redesign, which reached completion in 2001. This initial venture into kinetic mechanics laid the foundation for Calatrava’s signature aesthetic: sculpted, wing-like forms that redefine urban skylines.

At the heart of the pavilion’s silhouette is the Burke Brise Soleil, a massive movable sunscreen. Composed of 36 steel fins, its span reaches over 217 feet (66 meters) when fully extended—outstretching the wingspan of a Boeing 747. The entire transition from fully closed to open takes just three and a half minutes. An integrated sensor network continuously tracks atmospheric changes, prompting the mechanism to retract automatically if wind speeds exceed 23 mph (37 km/h) or during power outages.

The wing movement follows a set daily rhythm: opening with the museum in the morning, performing a mid-day flap at noon, and closing at dusk. The Reiman Pedestrian Bridge nearby provides a prime vantage point for spectators gathering to watch the spectacle.