New York, NY
Studio Museum of Harlem
Scope/Solutions
The Studio Museum in Harlem was operating in a 1929 bank building that no longer met their programming requirements for showcasing works by artists of African descent. To accommodate their current needs and future growth, the museum commissioned a new building designed by Adjaye Associates and Cooper Robertson that doubles its exhibition space and stands as a cultural anchor for the community. Working with Guy Nordenson and Associates, SGH designed the structure for the new building and served as the structural engineer of record for the project.
Partnering with Guy Nordenson and Associates, SGH designed the new five-story structure and prepared construction documents. Highlights of the design include:
- A six-story steel structure supported on a concrete mat foundation and clad with architectural precast concrete panels interspersed with areas of curtain walls
- A lateral-load-resisting system comprising a combination of moment and braced frames
- Galleries with column-free spans up to 50 ft to maximize flexibility
- A five-story, steel-framed, terrazzo-clad atrium stair in an 85-ft-tall vertical art gallery
- A rooftop terrace space for gathering and exhibits with a 35 ft cantilevered canopy
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Project Summary
2024
Completion Date
175M
Construction Value
85k
Project Size
Award
Winner
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures
Markets
Culture & Entertainment
Client(s)
Cooper Robertson
Key team members
Additional Projects
Northeast
Symphony Park Sculpture
Celebrating the nearby Berklee College of Music and Symphony Hall, Kulin’s design embraces the shapes of string instruments in his modern Scandinavian style. SGH consulted on the structural design for the 16 ft tall sculpture, First Chair.
Northeast
Cultural Education Center and Grand Stair at Empire State Plaza
SGH evaluated long-term water leaks under the staircase and designed repairs. Following our work at the plaza, SGH investigated bowing of the marble wall panels and issues related to anchorage of the panels at the Cultural Education Center.