The New Museum is getting a huge addition with a second building planned to rise right next door at 231 Bowery, and it has a very unique look.
Announced on Wednesday, June 26, New Museum has chosen OMA / Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas to design the new space in collaboration with Cooper Robertson. It’ll be a seven-story, 60,000-square-foot building connected to the flagship space. The two buildings will be connected via three gallery floors, which will ultimately double the museum’s exhibition space. The building will also have additional space for community and education programs, public amenities, and a permanent home for NEW INC.
This project will be the first public building in NYC by OMA, and is intended “[complement and respect] the integrity of. the Museum’s SANAA-designed flagship building.” As the announcement describes the aesthetics of the new building:
“Using a laminatedglass with metal mesh, the façade will provide a simple, unified exterior alongside the SANAAbuilding, with a material that recalls and complements the SANAA façade, yet allows for a higher degree of transparency. The OMA building will communicate the activities of the Museum outwards while creating a more inviting presence drawing the public inwards.”
It’ll also offer three additional elevators, an expanded lobby and bookstore, an 80-seat restaurant, and will connect to the existing Sky Room.
The new museum will be named in honor of their longtime trustee Toby Devan Lewis who recently gifted the New Museum’s Capital Campaign $20 million (the largest ever). Ground will break for the new building in 2020, with the museum’s public opening slated for 2022.
featured image source: OMA