National Museum of Mathematics

The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) has found a striking new home at 635 and 641 Avenue of the Americas, occupying 34,000 square feet across the Cellar, First, and Second Floors of two historic buildings in Manhattan’s Ladies’ Mile Historic District. As the nation’s only museum dedicated to mathematics, MoMath’s expanded facility brings together exhibition galleries, flexible event spaces, retail, workshops, and administrative offices, all designed to welcome diverse visitors.

The renovation weaves mathematical themes throughout the architecture and interior experience. Highlights include a sculptural spiral stair that doubles as a viewing platform for one of the museum’s signature exhibits, and an interactive floor installation anchoring the main ground-level gallery. Glazed storefronts animate the streetscape, connecting the museum to its urban surroundings both day and night.

Kohler Ronan provided MEP/FP engineering services for the complete tenant fit out. The MEP/FP design focused on meeting MoMath’s requirements while continuously balancing those loads against the allocated provisions of the lease. Existing mechanical water-cooled systems serving the renovated floors were supplemented by new heat pumps connected to the building’s infrastructure, and a new water-cooled chiller plant was designed for the Temporary Gallery, which required strict environmental conditions. Workshops with specialty hazardous exhaust systems were coordinated alongside the electrical design for the exhibits, both of which demanded extensive planning. Lighting and associated controls were designed to complement the exhibits while incorporating flexibility for varying programming and events. Plumbing modifications tied into existing building infrastructure, and sprinkler modifications were coordinated with the unique geometrical ceiling patterns throughout.

Photo credit: Michael Bodycomb, Courtesy of The Frick Collection