Description
Marcel Breuer designed this iconic building in 1966 specifically to house the Whitney Museum of American Art’s extensive collection of twentieth and twenty-first century American artists. Located at Madison Avenue and 75th Street, the landmark closed for substantial renovations, and opened to the public again in March of 2016 under the auspices of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which occupied the space under a long-term lease and had assumed its programming for eight years. The Met displayed a portion of its modern and contemporary collections and programs within what was then called The Met Breuer.
Working with the architect and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kohler Ronan designed MEP/FP systems in support of the renovations to the unique building. Central to the project’s engineering scope was a much needed infrastructure upgrade within the existing building in order to meet the new programmatic needs of the Met. Functioning as the Met’s engineering consultant during the acquisition of the building allowed Kohler Ronan’s team to understand and prioritize the building’s needs for the duration of the lease. Enhancements included upgraded security and technology systems throughout, a new restaurant, gallery and office improvements, and electrical infrastructure upgrades.