Richard Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History by Studio Gang

Architect: Studio Gang Location: New York City, USA Year Completed: 2023 Project Type: Museum, Research Center Photography: Iwan Baan Total Area: 230,000 sq ft Manufacturers: Hofmann Naturstein, Kuraray Facade & Glazing: Milford pink granite, SentryGlas® & Trosifol® glazing

A Monumental Expansion Merging Nature, Science, and Architecture

The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, designed by Studio Gang, is a transformative addition to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Opened in 2023, the 230,000-square-foot structure redefines how visitors experience science and nature in the heart of Manhattan. Seamlessly integrating with the Museum’s historic campus, the $465 million project strengthens physical and conceptual connections across the institution.

Located at Columbus Avenue and 79th Street, the Gilder Center introduces a sculptural new entrance on the Museum’s west side, nestled within Theodore Roosevelt Park. The design not only respects the scale of neighboring structures but also enhances adjacent green spaces with a revitalized landscape by Reed Hilderbrand, incorporating new paths, gathering areas, and native plantings.

Architecture Inspired by Natural Forces

Studio Gang’s architectural approach is rooted in natural phenomena. The Gilder Center’s exterior features an undulating stone façade of Milford pink granite, mirroring the stone used on the Museum’s Central Park West entrance. Large fritted glass openings provide transparency, daylight, and bird-safe features, while the diagonally patterned stonework evokes geological layering, enriching the visual dialogue between past and present.

Visitors are welcomed into the dramatic Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium, a soaring five-story space infused with daylight from expansive skylights. The flowing forms of the atrium, inspired by slot canyons of the American Southwest, are created using shotcrete, a sprayed concrete technique innovated in the early 1900s by Museum naturalist Carl Akeley. This expressive, form-free construction method results in organic shapes that guide movement and spark curiosity.

Circulation, Connectivity, and Engagement

The Gilder Center acts as a connective spine within the Museum, establishing 33 new links across 10 existing buildings, enhancing visitor circulation and accessibility. Inside, the verticality of the Griffin Atrium enables natural ventilation and illuminates key public spaces, functioning as both an environmental and social core.

Bridges, balconies, and sculpted openings across multiple levels encourage intuitive exploration, visually connecting education spaces, research collections, and exhibition galleries curated by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. These connections turn the act of movement into an immersive architectural experience, reinforcing the Museum’s mission of discovery and wonder.

A Civic Landmark for Science and Public Life

At the heart of the Gilder Center’s design philosophy is a commitment to education, sustainability, and inclusivity. The sweeping staircase along the atrium’s east side doubles as both circulation and social gathering space, offering deep walnut seating where visitors can pause, interact, and participate in public programming. It aligns directly with the entrance, drawing visitors into the building’s light-filled core and offering sightlines across its vertical landscape.