"We thought less about designing a single object and more about designing a pair. That idea of duality, dialogue and connection runs through nearly every aspect of the project. The original SANAA-designed tower is still vertical and introspective, while the new building leans outward, with horizontal galleries, open circulation and a more porous relationship to the city."
"Museums are no longer just spaces for art. They are spaces for people. They are among the last truly public spaces in the city. The glass-and-metal façade that shifts from opaque to transparent depending on the light glows at night, revealing the activity inside, making the museum feel less fortress, more invitation."
The New Museum has reopened on the Bowery following a decade-long expansion project. The new OMA-designed building adds nearly 62,000 square feet, doubling the institution's exhibition capacity to approximately 120,000 square feet total. Two buildings now operate as one unified space, connected by bridges, shared galleries, and a central atrium. The original SANAA-designed tower remains vertical and introspective, while the new structure features horizontal galleries and increased transparency. A glass-and-metal façade shifts between opaque and transparent based on lighting conditions. The expansion includes artist studios and infrastructure for creative production, reflecting a reimagined vision of museums as public gathering spaces rather than isolated art repositories.
#museum-architecture #public-space-design #cultural-institution-expansion #contemporary-museum-practice
Read at Time Out New York
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