Situated between the High Line and the Hudson River in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, the new building will vastly increase the Whitney’s exhibition and programming space, offering the most expansive display ever of its unsurpassed collection of modern and contemporary American art. The building opens to the public on May 1, 2015.
see also, New Shanghai Natural History Museum designed by Perkins+Will
Designed by italian architect Renzo Piano, the new building for the Whitney Museum of American Art is ready to open its doors in downtown manhattan’s meatpacking district. positioned between the high line and the hudson river, the much-anticipated project contains a series of indoor and outdoor galleries that double the institution’s floor space in comparison to its former home.
Conceived as a laboratory for artists, the scheme features dedicated areas for education programs, as well as a 170-seat theater, a study center, a multimedia performance space, a conservation center and a library. from each of the building’s nine storeys, views are offered towards the hudson river and into the city, ensuring that a profound sense of place is established.
The structure’s bold and asymmetrical form responds to the industrial character of the neighboring loft buildings, while simultaneously asserting a contemporary, sculptural presence. From an environmental perspective, the new whitney is the first art museum in new york to pursue LEED gold status. The design incorporates a green roof, plaza level planters, and a storm water detention tank to reduce site runoff. in addition, 20% of the construction materials, such as the reclaimed pine floors, were recycled.
see also, New Shanghai Natural History Museum designed by Perkins+Will
