Landmarks Commission greenlights American Museum Of Natural History expansion

Yesterday, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission gave the go-ahead for the much-anticipated expansion of the American Museum Of Natural History—probably the most notable addition to the place since the Rose Center for Earth and Space opened in 2000.

Dubbed the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation, the new building is bounded by Central Park West and Columbus Avenue between West 81st and 77th streets. Its design comes courtesy of Studio Gang Architects, who have envisioned an undulating exterior and interior resembling a combination of futuristic form and geological formation. Though the facade couldn’t be more different than the one for the adjoining building, it will be clad in traditional granite to fit into the existing street front.

The plan also calls for a reworking of the public spaces, including Theodore Roosevelt Park.