MoMA American Folk Art Museum, New York Building Restoration, Architect, NYC Design Project

Former American Folk Art Museum : MoMA New York

Building Restoration Manhattan, USA – design by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

May 13, 2013

American Folk Art Museum New York

Date built: 2001

Design: Tod Williams Billie Tsien

Location: West 53rd Street, Midtown, adjacent to MoMA

Phone: +1 212-595-9533

Today’s news is that MoMA has agreed to re-examine an earlier decision and “provide a clear rationale” for potentially tearing down the former American Folk Art Museum, which is located next door to the Museum of Modern Art.

MoMA New York:
American Folk Art Museum - MoMA New York
MoMA New York photo © Andrew McRae

In its original announcement last month, MoMA officials said the former Folk Art building needed to be razed because its opaque facade did not fit in with the glass aesthetic of the rest of the museum, and because the floors would not align. This obviously caused controversy because a, the building is well-loved and respected, b, it is by a celebrated American architecture practice and c, it was only completed in 2001!

The American Folk Art Museum (AFAM) struggled financially and ended up selling the property to MoMA to pay off $32 million it borrowed to finance an expansion. The AFAM now operates on Lincoln Square, at West 66th Street.

The key feature of the slim building is its faceted bronze-alloy facade.

Tod Williams Billie Tsien

Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Restorative Architecture + Michael Davis

The recent outcry from architects surrounding MoMA’s decision to demolish the former home of the AFAM is a hot topic. Why not adapt existing buildings rather than tear them down?

Michael is the leading advocate and active participant in re-adaptive and restorative architecture.

Michael Davis ArchitectsFish&Game New York

Former American Folk Art Museum information from various sources

Location: 11 W. 53rd St, New York City, USA

Director: Jason T. Busch
Address: 2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023, United States
Tickets: free · folkartmuseum.org
Phone: +1 212-595-9533

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