NCMA - Distribution of the City Grid
New York, New York — Spring 2024

“Disruption of the City Grid” was a project set to be an expansion of the Neue Galerie’s previously existing museum. While visiting the site and designing, I was immediately drawn to the bustle of the city and how it contrasted Central Park. I was also fascinated by the heavy, regular walls of the Neue. I aimed to take inspiration from both of these ideas while designing. I wanted one side to remain rigid and heavy like the Neue, and one side to be open and airy like Central Park.

The “Neue side” of my building features heavy walls, as well as the fire stairs, elevator, and bathrooms. This side receives very limited light and creates a very linear way of travel. The “freeform side” of my building was exactly the opposite. It takes in ample light, featured stairs inspired by the New York fire escapes, and includes partitions that could rotate and create interesting ways of movement and light. I utilize some of the more “rugged” sides of the city by including grated floors, fire exit-styled stairs, and various graffiti that would be designed by local artists.

My final expansion is an eight story 44’ x 100’ building with a steel rigid frame and CMU cladding. It includes an entertainment space on the fourth floor, a cafe on the fifth floor, and four floors of gallery: two for fine arts and two for applied arts. There are also multiple balconies that allowed for views of the park and the city overall.