Great design enables innovation. Cooper-Hewitt needs a way to present new media, technology, and the amazing new advances in design. This campaign project delivers a 21st century museum with larger, more flexible gallery space that will help Cooper-Hewitt fulfill its mission to advance the public understanding of design.
Claudia Kotchka, Trustee
RE:NEW Renovation
Cooper-Hewitt is housed in the former residence of Andrew Carnegie, a National Historic Landmark. The campus also includes two historic townhouses on East 90th Street and the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden. The renovation will enable the Museum to:
- » Expand Gallery Space by 70%
Within the Museum, a spectacular, new third-floor gallery will be created, resulting in four entire floors dedicated to exhibitions and public programming. With 17,000 square feet of gallery space, Cooper-Hewitt will be able to present significantly more of its collection and host major, international touring exhibitions.
- » Create a New National Design Library
The National Design Library will move from the Museum to the townhouses on East 90th Street. The new Library will include elegant, quiet study areas, full Wi-Fi access, reference spaces, a workroom, open stacks, offices, and a rare-book room.
- » Grow the Collection, Expand Conservation and Research, and Increase Access to the Collection via the Online National Design Museum
The Museum will lease an off-site facility that will include collection storage, state-of-the-art conservation labs, and a fully equipped photography studio. This new facility will permit Cooper-Hewitt to grow its collection with fewer space constraints, improve collection care and research, and digitize the collection.
