architecture, urban design, planning
The study and design proposal involved a thorough inventory of the existing conditions of the historic Carnegie Mansion as a basis for a space needs / programming analysis and expansion program of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum for the next twenty years. Smithsonian Institution guidelines were used to determine the sizes of all museum functions, adjacencies and departmental structure. The report included an expansion program and supporting data, expansion alternatives and the conceptual architectural design.
The expansion program was developed with supporting information gathered through interviews with museum senior staff, and through an inter-departmental ‘Town Hall’ Meeting held with museum staff. Overall, the study recommended an increase to the size of the existing museum by nearly two and half times, due in large part to the tremendous need for additional gallery space, expanding the museum's receiving area / registrar’s department, additional collection storage space, a destination restaurant and a 250 seat lecture hall.
*this project was completed by Christopher Stienon while an Associate / Senior Designer at Beyer Blinder Belle.
Location: New York City, New York
Client: Smithsonian Institution, Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum
Services:
Museum expansion master plan.
Museum programming and space needs assessment.
Assessment of historic resources.
Expansion proposal within a landmarked building listed on the US National Register of Historic Spaces.
