Creating Space: The Building

Expressing the character of the community of The Studio Museum in Harlem, while advancing the institution’s global role, Sir David Adjaye’s architectural design for the institution’s new home takes its inspiration from the brownstones, churches, and bustling sidewalks of Harlem.

The masonry-framed windows of Harlem’s apartment buildings are echoed in the composition of a facade with windows of varying sizes and proportions. The neighborhood’s churches find a counterpart in a top-lit interior core with ample wall area for installing large-scale artworks and a central stair that provides look-out points from the landings. A set of glass doors, which can be opened in differing configurations, welcome people to descending steps that evoke the ubiquitous stoops of Harlem’s brownstones. The steps of this “inverted stoop” can be used as benches for watching lectures, performances, and films presented on the building’s lower level—or simply for relaxing in informal gatherings.

Galleries are configured in assorted proportions, scales, and floor treatments to accommodate the wide variety of works in the permanent collection and the many sizes and types of temporary exhibitions. Artworks will permeate the entire building—even outside the formal galleries—with artists’ projects and site-specific installations using virtually all public spaces. Studios for the artists in residence and education spaces will be located adjacent to exhibition galleries to facilitate exchanges with the community. Finally, a roof terrace will offer striking views of Harlem and the rest of the city.

In keeping with its commitment to the Harlem community, the Studio Museum has retained the nation’s oldest minority-owned design and construction firm, McKissack & McKissack, to ensure the project meets exacting goals for contracting opportunities with qualified minority- and woman-owned businesses and local workforce participation. The Studio Museum will seek LEED Silver certification for its new home from the U.S. Green Building Council.