Queens Museum of Art Getting an Eco Conscious Expansion by Grimshaw Architects

Because of the constant need for temperature, humidity, and lighting control, art museums tend to be major energy hogs. But in New York City, we're seeing more and more <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/museum-of-the-moving-image-unveils-its-sexy-new-look-after-3-year-green-renovation/" target="_blank">art institutions</a> paying special attention to energy efficiency and sustainability in their design and operation. The <a href="http://www.queensmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Queens Museum of Art</a> is the latest addition to this list, having broke ground this past spring on <a href="http://www.queensmuseum.org/about/aboutbuilding-history" target="_blank">a major addition</a> to the institution that will upgrade its facilities and add 50,000 sq. ft. of gallery space. Designed by <a href="http://grimshaw-architects.com/" target="_blank">Grimshaw Architects</a>, the state of the art addition will double the museum's size and incorporate green features like an <a href="http://www.facilitiesnet.com/hvac/article/HVAC-The-Challenges-and-Benefits-of-Under-Floor-Air-Distribution-Systems--3516" target="_blank">underfloor HVAC system</a>, locally sourced materials, and an abundance of natural light.

The $65 million expansion adds an entirely new entrance and entry plaza with a 220-foot long illuminated facade along the side of the museum facing Grand Central Parkway.

The stunning facade, etched with "Museum" across it, will make the institution visible to everyone driving on the Parkway.

The east facing side that opens into <a href="http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_flushing_meadows/vt_flushing_meadows_park.html" target="_blank">Flushing Meadows-Corona Park</a> will also have a new entrance and it will have expanded outdoor space.

While the current museum building is rather conspicuously inconspicuous, the new exterior will elevate its stature and create a high visible transition from the park to the museum.

The two entrances will both open into a gorgeously daylight atrium, connecting the east and west sides of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/destinations/museums/" target="_blank">museum</a> -- a key requirement for the project.

The wide open entry gallery allows for displaying large-scale works and hosting a variety of different events.

The museum's current entry is small and somewhat dark, unlike most other institutions in New York City, which welcome visitors into a spectacularly open space. The Queens Museum of Art's new entrance will do just this.

Visitors can walk around the atrium on elevated pathways that connect the seven new gallery spaces and allow for interesting views of the museum and the park. While the building has soaring 38-foot high ceilings, only the areas used by guests are conditioned.

The lighting system combines natural and artificial light to create the optimal scenario for viewing art, but this system also reduces the museum's need for electrical lighting, thus reducing its energy load.

The expansion also adds a cafe, bookstore, and classrooms to the museum. Sustainably and locally sourced materials were used throughout the building.

To efficiently regulate temperature and humidity, <a href="http://grimshaw-architects.com/" target="_blank">Grimshaw</a> incorporated an underfloor HVAC system that maintains a constantly controlled environment only in the areas that are used by visitors and contain artwork.

The expansion will double the size of the museum, giving it much more office and storage space, which will allow the institution to expand its collection and operations.