Overview

Auditorium

First Floor Entry and Galleries

Meet the Presidents Gallery

The New-York Historical Society is continually developing new ways to engage and inspire the public through retelling the story of American history. As architects for the Society since 2005, PBDW continues to help the Society achieve its goals, notably through the transformation of the 10,000 SF fourth floor galleries, which opened in the spring of 2017.

PBDW successfully transformed the Luce Galleries from an overwhelming open storage display into dynamic new galleries with much-needed storage and support spaces. The project’s scope also included a new education technology center, a gallery lounge, and the first-of-its-kind gallery dedicated to the role of women in American history.

In addition, PBDW, in collaboration with Eva Jiřičná of London and Prague, developed the new Tiffany Gallery to exhibit the Society’s collection of Tiffany lamps. The dark blue space and the floating, contemporary design of Jiřičná’s central glass staircase and curved glass display cases complement the warm turn-of-the-20th century Tiffany fixtures they support.

Our design created double-height galleries, capturing new space between existing roof trusses that allowed for the creation of new public mezzanines. We increased flexibility and energy efficiency through lighting and environmental controls. PBDW also upgraded all HVAC, electrical, life safety, and security systems to museum-quality standards. This project is LEED Gold®.

Architect: PBDW Architects (Scott Duenow, Brigitte Cook, Ed May)

Design Consultant: Eva Jiricna Architects

Structural Engineer: Robert Silman Associates Structural Engineers, DPC

MEPF Engineer: ads Engineers, DPC

Lighting Designer: dpa Lighting Consultants

Code Consultant: Design 2147, Ltd.

Photographers: Jonathan Wallen, Michael Neglia

AIA New York Chapter: Design Award, 2013

New York Landmarks Conservancy: Lucy G. Moses Award, 2011

“Eva Jiřičná's Tiffany Gallery for the New-York Historical Society,” Architectural Record

“The New-York Historical Society’s New Mission: Telling the Forgotten Stories of Women,” artnet News

“New-York Historical Society;s revamped fourth floor traces NYC’s history,” Curbed New York

"A Redesigned Floor at the New-York Historical Society Helps Illuminate the City’s Past," Hyperallergic

"New-York Historical Society previews new Gallery of Tiffany Lamps," The Architect’s Newspaper