Open since last May, the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation is an ode to nature and its phenomena, imbued with poetry.
This marks a significant milestone for the American Museum of Natural History . In May 2023, the prestigious institution opened the Richard Gilder Center for Science , Education, and Innovation. This new center is housed in a new building designed by Studio Gang, the international architecture and urban design firm led by Jeanne Gang . Spanning over 20,000 square meters, the architectural project draws inspiration from the natural processes of wind and water, which shape fascinating terrestrial landscapes to explore. It comprises six above-ground floors, four of which are open to the public, and one underground.
On the exterior, its undulating facade, with its fluid and gentle curves, is clad in Milford pink granite and punctuated by rounded windows. The pattern of the stone panels evokes both the phenomenon of geological stratification and the richly textured surface of the stonework of neighboring buildings.
Once inside the Griffin Center, visitors find themselves in the Griffin Atrium , a soaring space that rises the full height of the building and welcomes natural light through skylights. For its design, the architects drew inspiration from the way wind and water carve paths through rock, as well as the shapes etched by hot water in blocks of ice. Right angles seem persona non grata in this creation where curves reign supreme.
This space, like much of the Gilder Center, was constructed using structural concrete sprayed directly onto reinforcing bars without formwork to create a seamless interior of vaulted walls, bridges, and caverns that form the building's structure. This technique was invented by Carl Akeley , the Museum's naturalist and taxidermist. Once the spraying was complete, the finishing touches were applied by hand, showcasing the skill of its builders.
A fascinating and sublime tribute to nature.
