Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Architecture

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) occupies a prime location in Midtown Manhattan, housed in a complex of buildings designed by various architects.

This iconic New York City institution has housed some of the most revolutionary artistic movements of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The museum’s physical structure reflects its same spirit of innovation.  

In this article, we’ll delve into MoMA’s architectural journey, exploring the minds behind its design and the evolution of its form.

History of MoMA’s Architecture

MoMA’s story began in rented spaces, far from its current permanent home. 

Early Years: Rented Spaces (1929-1939)
The museum first opened its doors on the 12th floor of the Heckscher Building on Fifth Avenue in 1929.
However, the rented space was changed because the museum had outgrown its rented quarters and needed a dedicated building to house its growing collection and adequately accommodate visitors.

A Custom-Built Home (1939)
In 139, the museum commissioned architects Philip Goodwin and Edward Durell Stone to design its first permanent home on West 53rd Street.
Goodwin, a museum trustee, played a key role in shaping the overall vision. 
At the same time, Stone, a rising architectural talent, translated that vision into a concrete design.

This building, constructed in the International Style, was characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and an emphasis on functionality. 

It was a sleek, elegant concrete and glass structure with six stories and a basement totaling 708,000 square feet.

A notable feature was the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, a garden that offers a tranquil outdoor space for visitors.

The Sculpture Garden 

The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden is nestled within MoMA’s heart. 

It is a haven of open-air art strategically integrated into the museum’s architecture.  

The sculpture garden, designed by Philip Johnson, the first director of MoMA’s architecture department, opened in 1953.

Johnson envisioned the space as a “roofless room,” creating four distinct, asymmetrical, marble-paved areas for displaying sculptures.  

This design allows for a curated viewing experience, separating individual works while maintaining a sense of flow and connection to the surrounding architecture.

The sculpture garden serves multiple purposes. 

• It provides a tranquil outdoor space for visitors to relax and contemplate the art.  

• It also offers a unique environment for experiencing large-scale sculptures, allowing viewers to appreciate the works from different angles and in natural light.  

• The juxtaposition of modern and contemporary sculptures with the clean lines of the museum building creates a dynamic dialogue between art and architecture.

Over the years, the sculpture garden has become an iconic landmark in its own right.  

It’s a popular spot for art enthusiasts and casual visitors, offering a refreshing break from the museum’s interior galleries.

Transforming MoMA (1958-2019)

MoMA’s ever-growing collection and visitor base necessitated several expansions and renovations throughout its history. 

These changes provided more space and reflected the evolving architectural tastes and museum best practices.

1958: The museum’s second floor received a facelift with a new glass facade overlooking the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. 
This improved natural light penetration and fostered a stronger connection between the indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces.

1964: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed a significant eastward expansion to address the growing need for gallery space. 
This addition provided additional rooms for showcasing the museum’s collection and a new auditorium for events and lectures.

Taniguchi Building (2004-2006)
This expansion, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, added 630,000 square feet of new and redesigned space, including the Peggy and David Rockefeller Building and the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building.

2019: The most recent and extensive renovation involved Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler. 
His project significantly transformed MoMA, creating a more open and accessible environment. Key changes included:Increased exhibition space: The renovation added over 40,000 square feet of dedicated gallery space, allowing the museum to display more of its collection and present art in new, interdisciplinary ways.

Improved accessibility: The renovation prioritized accessibility features, ensuring a more welcoming environment for all visitors.

Enhanced transparency: The design incorporated more open layouts and utilized glass extensively to create a brighter and more inviting atmosphere throughout the museum.

MoMA Building Design

The MoMA building’s architectural style blends modern and traditional Beaux-Arts elements.

This reflects the museum’s mission to celebrate and challenge modern culture and society.

Its architecture is a prime example of the International Style, a movement that emerged in the early 20th century that emphasized clean lines, geometric forms, and functionality over ornamentation.

The MoMA building reflected these principles with its:

• Simple facade: The exterior of white marble slabs presented a clean and uncluttered aesthetic.
  
• Emphasis on function: The architects prioritized creating well-lit and flexible gallery spaces that could accommodate diverse artwork. 

Large windows allowed for natural light, while the interior layout facilitated various exhibition configurations.

• Integration with nature: The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, incorporated into the initial design, provided a serene outdoor space that complemented the clean lines of the building and offered visitors a contrasting experience.

Layout and Space of the MoMA Building

The layout and space of the MoMA building have been carefully designed and expanded over the years.

It provides a dynamic and engaging environment for showcasing modern and contemporary art while offering its visitors diverse educational and cultural experiences.

• The museum features various departments, including architecture and design, drawings and prints, film, media and performance, painting and sculpture, and photography. 

• The building also includes a sculpture garden designed by Philip Johnson in 1953.

• The MoMA building features bookstores, a design store, and a sixth-floor lounge with an outdoor terrace. 

Visitors can enjoy various activities, including gallery talks, lectures, symposia, and special events in this building. 

• The Cullman Building, the Museum’s first building devoted solely to education and research, provides over five times more space for classrooms, auditoriums, teacher training workshops, and an expanded Library and Archives. 

These facilities enhance the museum’s educational programs and activities.

MoMA’s Architecture Today 

The architecture of MoMA is not static.  

Each renovation and expansion reflects the changing needs of the museum and the evolution of modern design itself.  

Today, MoMA’s architecture serves as a functional space and shows the museum’s commitment to showcasing the best of modern and contemporary art in a setting that complements the artistic vision.

FAQs