For the first time in the history of the Metropolitan Museum to design a wing of the museum is a woman

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has unveiled the design signed by architect Frida Escobedo for the new wing dedicated to modern and contemporary art. This is a historic event for the museum: Escobedo is the first woman to design a wing in the Metrolitan’s 154 years of operation. The new area, named after patrons Oscar L. Tang and HM Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, will increase exhibition space by nearly 50 percent, adding more than 6,500 square feet dedicated to 20th- and 21st-century art.

The project, which combines visionary design and sustainability, includes improvements to accessibility and infrastructure, providing a wing that will integrate harmoniously with the rest of the museum. Inspired by the Met’s various architectural styles, diverse art collections, and Central Park context, the design will reflect a fusion of tradition and innovation.

Architecture that dialogues with the city and history

It is scheduled to open in 2030. The new wing will span five floors.
The facade designed by Escobedo is distinguished by the use of a limestone“celosía,” an architectural element that recalls a universal language capable of crossing eras and cultures. The mineral texture of the lattice creates a diaphanous surface, designed to interact gently with sunlight, changing during the course of the day. This design, which cleverly alternates floor-to-ceiling glazing with stone sections.

The interiors of the new exhibition space will feature rhythmic, fluid environments designed to accommodate artworks of varying size and complexity. Varying ceiling heights will allow monumental installations to be displayed alongside more intimate works. By reorganizing the layout and programming of the spaces, the total exhibition area will be expanded by nearly 50 percent. In addition, a café will be set up on the fifth floor, where visitors can take a break before continuing their tour of the galleries devoted to modern and contemporary art.

Large south-facing windows in the fourth- and fifth-floor galleries will capture views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, providing an extraordinary sight in any season. Both floors will include direct connections to the park and the city.

Accessibility and sustainability at the heart of the project

The new wing will significantly improveaccessibility, with the addition of elevators, ramps, and optimized pathways to ensure that every area is easily accessible. Sustainability will also be a key pillar: the design will reduce energy consumption, with solutions such as facades that limit solar radiation and underground spaces to improve efficiency.
The project also includes renovations and landscape improvements to bring the green spaces immediately around the building up to the standards set by Central Park.

Statements

“Frida Escobedo’s extraordinarily inspired, deeply thoughtful and dynamic design for the Tang Wing solidifies her position as one of today’s most relevant architects,” said Max Hollein, director of the Metropolitan Museum. “As custodians of one of the most extraordinary collections of 20th- and 21st-century art, the Met has a responsibility to New York City and the world to present the art of our time in exceptionally compelling, scholarly, and innovative exhibitions that illuminate the rich, and sometimes surprising, connections that can be drawn through our 5,000-year collection of art history. Escobedo’s elegant, contemporary design reflects not only an understanding of architectural history, materiality, and artistic expression, but also a deep appreciation for the Met’s mission, collection, and visitors. We are thrilled to reveal this project to our audiences and incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm and significant support of our trustees, donors and supporters throughout the city and beyond.”

“Frida Escobedo has conceived a space that is as inimitable as the masterpieces that make up the Met. The new wing demonstrates the Met’s commitment to presenting visual stories across time, geography and cultures,” said Oscar Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing.

“Our goal was to create a building that fully meets the Met’s needs and aspirations, weaving vital connections between the modern and contemporary art galleries and other areas of the museum. The wing is located in New York, but it is of the world; it reflects the global nature of this great collection and also draws inspiration from the Met’s unique environment. This ambition can only be realized through close and ongoing collaboration. We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary partners at the Met and to all members of the expert design team,” commented architect Frida Escobedo.

For the first time in the history of the Metropolitan Museum to design a wing of the museum is a woman

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