At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the renovation goes beyond a simple modernization. By subtly playing with the concept of time and allowing its historical layers to emerge, the museum establishes a poetic and unique dialogue between the legacy of the past and contemporary design.
The New York-based firm Peterson Rich Office has reimagined five distinct spaces within the renowned institution, making a deliberate choice to showcase vast swaths of its architectural history. Rather than concealing these eras beneath an overly smooth continuity, the aesthetic approach embraces the layering of eras. A resolutely confident approach.
A museum conceived as a palimpsest
According to Dezeen magazine, the project spans over 1,100 square meters at the heart of the new Condé Nast galleries. It is delicately integrated among 19th-century structures, notably around the majestic Great Hall designed by Richard Morris Hunt and later redesigned by Arthur Lyman Tuckerman and Calvert Vaux. The intention is clear: to make architectural stratification a true language, far from any haphazard assemblage.
Around the historic buildings, the architects have exposed the original facades by removing thick layers of plaster, thereby integrating them into the very heart of the new space. Former exterior walls are transformed into thresholds, and these thresholds into narratives. As Miriam Peterson points out, this dialogue between raw, period materials and contemporary additions profoundly redefines our perception of what truly “exists” in a place.
Between solemnity and fluidity of space
Adjacent to the Great Hall, the orientation gallery features limestone arches rising nearly six meters high. Its walls are adorned with elegant gray marmorino stucco, while transparent display cases offer unprecedented views of the rest of the museum. The atmosphere here is one of restraint, serving as a soothing transitional zone between the building’s monumental heritage and the rest of the visitor’s journey.
Further on, monumental oak pivot doors open onto the High Gallery, where the aesthetic is firmly rooted in the contemporary. The ceiling, soaring to dizzying heights, incorporates a beam structure that conceals the technical infrastructure of the space while supporting an upper level. This system provides indirect lighting, designed to adapt flexibly to different exhibition setups. The ingenuity of this design lies not only in its visual impact, but in the clarity with which it fulfills its function.
In the center, the Low Gallery plays with an intimate shift in scale. It stands out for its minimalist palette: gray stone floors, immaculately white ceilings, and classic track lighting. Finally, the Finale Gallery powerfully highlights the project’s duality: on one side, perfectly smooth finishes; on the other, exposed brick and the original pilasters of the 19th-century structures.
An institution in constant motion
The opening of these spaces coincides with the Costume Art exhibition. The museum offers a fascinating exploration of the social dimension of clothing, through garments and body representations from various eras. This choice is no accident: it places fashion at the heart of a space that specifically highlights its own historical layers and artifacts.
This initiative is part of a broader dynamic. The Peterson Rich Office studio is currently working on a new gallery for the Costume Institute, redesigning the dining areas and shops, while reactivating the entrance located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 83rd Street. Meanwhile, the Met continues its global expansion with an ambitious project led by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo.
Founded in 2014 by Miriam Peterson and Nathan Rich, the studio has distinguished itself in cultural projects where preservation refuses to freeze spaces in time. The real challenge of this project lay in seamlessly integrating visitors into a complex historic monument without erasing its rich and vibrant history. The result is a highly coherent visitor experience that respects the building’s original spirit. A perfect balance of tone and authenticity mark the absolute success of this project.