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The Metropolitan Museum of Art just revealed renderings of its new modern and contemporary art wing—the first in the museum’s history designed by a woman.
The $500 million project, the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, will house The Met’s collection of 20th- and 21st-century art when it opens in 2030.
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The new wing will sit within the existing wing’s 123,000-square-foot footprint and will be no higher than the original 1880 wing at the center of the Museum complex, but it will increase the current gallery space by nearly 50%, the Met says.
Architect Frida Escobedo’s design includes the use of a limestone “celosía,” which is comprised of a mineral texture in a stone lattice design, that will create a translucent effect that’ll allow sunlight in without overexposing art but changing the feel of the space throughout the day. Floor-to-ceiling glass will allow the design of the other existing wings and the Beaux Arts Fifth Avenue facade to shine through as well. The new gallery spaces will flow into another with ceiling heights, from 11 to 22 feet high, allowing for a variation of small- and large-scale installations.
On the fifth floor of the wing, there will be a new 1,000-square-foot cafe and rooftop views that’ll be available year-round. It will have large south-facing windows in the fourth- and fifth-floor galleries, where you’ll be able to see Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Those floors will also have terraces with direct connections to the park and the city. The popular Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, which is on the fifth floor right now, will move to the fourth-floor terrace. The good news here is that this roof garden will expand from 7,500 square feet to nearly 10,000 square feet when it relocates. Up on the fifth floor, there will be a landscape inspired by Central Park that’ll offer a place of respite, designed by Thomas Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
The design and engineering team consists of lead design architect Frida Escobedo Studio, executive architect Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLC, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, and engineering firms Kohler Ronan and Thornton Tomasetti.
“Frida Escobedo’s extraordinarily inspired, deeply thoughtful, and dynamic design for the Tang Wing cements her standing as one of today’s most relevant architects,” said Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement. “As stewards of one of the most outstanding collections of 20th- and 21st-century art, The Met has a responsibility to New York City and the world to present the art of our time in exceptionally compelling, scholarly, and innovative displays that illuminate the rich—and at times surprising—connections that can be drawn across our collection of 5,000 years of art history. Escobedo’s elegant, contemporary design reflects not only an understanding of architectural history, materiality, and artistic expression but also a deep appreciation for The Met’s mission, collection, and visitors. We’re thrilled to reveal these exciting plans to our audiences, and incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm and significant support of our trustees, donors, and supporters across the city and beyond.”
If you’re wondering why the new wing is needed, the Met says the existing wing’s design and layout is confusing to visitors thanks to the arrangement of its elevators, stairs, restrooms and mechanical spaces. Right now, accessibility is limited. For example, one floor is only publicly accessible by stairs or through back-of-house space with a security escort. This also stops the museum from presenting large-scale contemporary pieces.
The project is expected to begin construction in 2026 for an anticipated reopening in 2030.