SANAA

The New Museum’s expansion, designed by OMA partners Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas, doubles the institution’s exhibition space while establishing a new architectural dialogue with the original 2007 SANAA building. According to OMA, the project functions as a “counterpart” to the vertical, introverted SANAA structure, introducing a horizontal, extraverted companion that addresses the museum’s long-standing circulation constraints.

How does the new addition change museum circulation?

The new OMA-designed building addresses the vertical pressure of the original SANAA structure by providing a horizontal expansion. According to Rem Koolhaas, the project is intended to act as a “complement” to the existing stack of shifted boxes. By creating a pair of buildings with distinct characters—one vertical and one horizontal—the museum aims to alleviate the constrained footprint that hindered visitor flow since the original facility opened in 2007. Shohei Shigematsu notes that the two buildings are “highly connected,” allowing the institution to manage large-scale exhibitions that were previously impossible within the original, smaller floor plates.

Why do cultural institutions favor multi-building expansions?

Large-scale cultural institutions increasingly favor expansion over relocation to maintain historical presence in established neighborhoods. The New Museum’s move to double its footprint while retaining the SANAA design mirrors the approach taken by institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) or the Tate Modern. According to industry data, modular expansion allows museums to increase revenue-generating exhibition space without abandoning the brand identity associated with their original, often iconic, architecture. By setting the new building back from the original, OMA preserves the visual impact of the SANAA facade while signaling the museum’s growth.

What defines the design language of the new wing?

The OMA addition utilizes an angular, offset geometry to contrast with the original building’s “shifted boxes” aesthetic. According to the design team, the new wing acts as an “extraverted” space, opening the museum toward the street level to encourage public engagement. This design strategy contrasts sharply with the original SANAA building, which is characterized by its opaque, metal-mesh skin and introverted, vertical orientation. By creating this architectural tension, the museum positions itself as a dual-faceted entity that serves both the private, contemplative nature of art viewing and the public, social nature of urban life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who designed the New Museum addition? The addition was designed by Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas of the architecture firm OMA.
• How does the new building relate to the original? It is designed as a “counterpart,” acting as a horizontal, extraverted companion to the original vertical, introverted SANAA building.
• Does the new building increase gallery space? Yes, the expansion doubles the museum’s total exhibition capacity.

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