the first phase of the bma's renovation was completed in november 2012 with the reopening of the contemporary wing. in november 2014, after being closed for almost 30 years, the neoclassical merrick historic entrance was reopened to the public to coincide with the museum's 100-year anniversary. the next phase encompassed the dorothy mcilvain scott american wing, comprising the first and second floors of the bma's original 1929 building designed by the acclaimed american architect john russell pope; the 1982 east wing lobby and zamoiski east entrance designed by bower, lewis & thrower; and critically important upgrades to the museum's infrastructure. the architect for this phase of the renovation was the baltimore-based architecture firm ziger/snead, with construction completed by whiting-turner contracting company of towson, maryland. the project manager was synthesis, inc., of columbia, maryland. the bma also greatly expanded galleries for its african and asian art collections, which opened in april 2015. the culmination of the renovation was the opening of the new $4.5 million, 5,000 sq. ft. patricia and mark joseph education center in october 2015.