Jeanne Gang Will Design Expansion of Natural History Museum

Following in the footsteps of the Museum of Modern Art and the Frick Collection, both of which have big expansions in the works, New York City's renowned American Museum of Natural History has also just announced plans for a major addition to its landmarked campus on the Upper West Side. The new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, intended to be completed in time for the museum's 150th anniversary in 2019, will be designed by starchitect Jeanne Gang, who most recently unveiled a provocative installation on climate change in Miami. Adding 180,000 square feet of new space to existing museum space, the $325M project will dedicate altogether 218,000 square feet to science-focused exhibitions, labs, and theaters. As Curbed NY comments, backlash to the project is certain, considering current controversy over a church-to-condo conversion in the same neighborhood. Stay tuned. [ArchDaily]