At a Glance
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11,500
Square Feet
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115,000
Minerals
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4,500
Gems
- Location
- New York, New York
- Offices
-
-
Client
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American Museum of Natural History
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-
Partners
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Ralph Appelbaum Associates
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-
Award
-
International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Award of Merit
- Location
- New York, New York
- Offices
- Client
-
- American Museum of Natural History
- Partners
-
- Ralph Appelbaum Associates
- Award
- International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Award of Merit
Share
In collaboration with award-winning exhibit designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates, we developed a comprehensive design vision for a new signature exhibition as part of a renovation of the American Museum of Natural History Halls of Gems & Minerals. This project is one of a series of architectural and programmatic enhancements to the cherished New York City institution.
The overall design restores the hall’s original architectural intent while opening the space and modernizing its infrastructure. Within the renovated halls, an open layout invites curiosity-driven exploration. The layout is organized into three main divisions: the Minerals Hall, the Gems Hall, and the Meister Gallery for temporary exhibitions. Additionally, a room off the east wall explores the optical properties of minerals and their interaction with light.
The new space features custom casework and provides a stunning home for the museum’s expansive collection, only a fraction of which had been previously on display in the 11,500-square-foot (1,068-square-metre) hall. Structural reinforcements accommodate signature large-scale specimens collected from around the world. State-of-the-art lighting is optimized to highlight color variation and refraction in gems and jewelry. And large-scale media projections and interactive displays introduce key ideas about mineral and gem properties.
This must-see destination—home of the famous 563-carat Star of India sapphire—is designed to educate and delight the next generation of visitors.
" }At a Glance
-
11,500
Square Feet
-
115,000
Minerals
-
4,500
Gems
- Location
- New York, New York
- Offices
-
-
Client
-
-
American Museum of Natural History
-
-
Partners
-
-
Ralph Appelbaum Associates
-
-
Award
-
International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Award of Merit
- Location
- New York, New York
- Offices
- Client
-
- American Museum of Natural History
- Partners
-
- Ralph Appelbaum Associates
- Award
- International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Award of Merit