The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, located at 1000 Fifth Avenue, has announced the official start of construction for a new exhibition area to house its 20th and 21st-century art collection. The project involves the demolition and redevelopment of existing structures to meet the requirements of an expanded and modernised presentation.
The Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, named after two of the project's main benefactors, is scheduled to open its doors in 2030. Architect Frida Escobedo, whose offices are in Mexico City and New York City, is responsible for the design. She is the first woman in the Met's 156-year history to design a museum wing.
Max Hollein, Director and CEO of The Met, expressed appreciation for Escobedo's work. He highlighted her deep understanding and distinct sensibility for art, as well as for the appropriate placement of artworks within an architectural context. Hollein emphasised that The Met has maintained a close connection to contemporary art since its inception, which distinguishes the institution from other major museums such as the Louvre or the British Museum.
Scope and Features of the New Building
The Tang Wing will span an area of 126,000 square feet across five floors. The facade will feature a distinctive limestone 'celosía', a type of architectural latticework, whose design is inspired by various cultural influences. The project is being financed by private donations totalling $670 million and includes 69,500 square feet of exhibition space, effectively doubling the existing area.
Additionally, over 18,500 square feet of outdoor space in the form of terraces on the fourth and fifth floors are planned. Ceiling heights in the exhibition spaces will vary between 11 and 22 feet. A 1,000 square-foot cafe will be established on the fifth floor. The Met is collaborating with the Central Park Conservancy and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to design the wing's outdoor areas, imbuing them with an atmosphere reminiscent of Central Park.
Sustainability and Accessibility
Sustainability and accessibility are central aspects of the new wing's development. The museum aims to minimise the building's energy consumption and ensure that all visitors, regardless of their mobility, can fully utilise the museum's offerings. The wing will feature two lifts, mobile ramps, and improved access points from other wings. The window design has been conceived to maximise the use of natural light while reducing solar heat gain.
With this project, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is creating a new home for a significant art collection, which includes works by artists such as Mary Rogers, Juan Gris, Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Diego Rivera, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock. Hollein stressed that an environment is being created that allows diverse artworks and artistic constellations to be presented in the most impactful way. The curators have worked closely with Frida Escobedo to develop an overall concept for the collection, specifically tailored to the artworks.
