The Museum of Modern Art in New York, fondly called MoMA, is set to begin the construction of its expansion project next week. However, a big part of its initial design, unveiled in 2014, will be scrapped, and a lower budget has been announced.
According to The New York Times, the overhaul will add 50,000 square feet of exhibition space to the museum. It is MoMA's second major building project recently. In 2004, the Midtown wing was renovated with an overall cost of $858 million. Today's expansion plan has an approved budget of only $400 million.
Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the architectural firm tasked to undertake the massive project, has also edited its design from its grandiose initial proposal two years ago. Some flashy features which are notably absent from the final plan include the "Art Bay," a glass garage-like door accessible from the streets, and the "Gray Box," a huge space in the fourth floor that would have been surrounded with acoustic absorption panels.
"When this was revealed back then, we hadn't started working together," architect Elizabeth Diller said admitted to The Wall Street Journal. "Some things were a little bit impulsive."
The new and improved MoMA will be more direct and business-like for a more efficient museum experience. At the same time, it will be cozier and warmer, as designers will try to limit their use of glass, stone and steel, which make the space more austere.
"The trustees made a very bold decision to say the quality of the experience as you enter the building is so important that we're willing to take whatever impact that may have on retail and live with it," Glenn Lowry, MoMA's director, told The Wall Street Journal.
Key changes and additions to be made include an overhaul to the ground floor of the Lauder building, which will double the public space. The main lobby will also be made brighter and broader, and will have a new ticket-taking and seating areas, as well as a new coat-checking system.
"This is not a heroic 'Ta-da!'" Diller said. "It's careful, surgical."
The project will be divided into three phases and is expected to be completed by 2020. MoMA will stay open to the public throughout construction.
