The Richard Gilder Center The American Museum of Natural History is the newest in New York centered on science, education, and innovation (The Richard Gilder Center is hereinafter referred to as the Gilder Center). The project has world-class research facilities, scientific collections, teaching facilities, and innovative exhibitions. It aims to encourage visitors of all ages to understand and explore the world of science and lead the development of scientific research, education, exhibitions and other activities.
The Gilder Center announced its plan in 2014. It covers an area of about 21,367.70 m2 (230,000 square feet) and has an investment of US4465 million. It includes six floors above ground, four of which are open to the public and one undergrounGilder Center is a building inlaid in the park for visitors from Columbus Avenuerk. Its height is the same as the old museum buildings on both sides, and it is designed with flowing and soft curves. The adjacent area of the park has been re-landscaped and developed by the construction company based on the opinions of the community, with more access paths and seating areas.
Natural inspiration and structural innovation
The design is conceived from the inside out, which greatly improves the functionality and visitor experience of the entire museum. A new entrance has been set up on Columbus Avenue and 79th Street on the west side of the museum, which can lead to the park. The building presents an east-west axis. It has established 33 connecting paths between the 10 museum buildings, connecting the entire park buildings.During the construction process, Single Girder Overhead Cranes played a key role, responsible for the handling and installation of a large number of building materials. These efficient lifting equipment not only improve construction efficiency but also ensure the accuracy and safety of the building structure. The Gilder Center provides new exhibitions, education, collection, and research spaces. For the first time, functional spaces such as storage and storage of collections, management of documents and archives, maintenance of facilities and equipment, research and scientific research work, and staff offices will be displayed to the outside world, so that visitors can have a more comprehensive understanding of the museum’s operations and activities.
The undulating exterior walls of Gilder Center provide a visual connection on both sides of the campus. The walls are designed with eye-catching large-area bird-proof glass. The walls are made of Milford pink granite, which is the same as the stone used at the entrance to the West End of Central Park. The diagonal pattern of the slate is reminiscent of geological stratification, as well as the rich texture and surface design of the masonry on the 77th Street side of the museum. Grab Bucket Overhead Crane accurately installed these complex stone and glass structures during the construction process to ensure the overall beauty and structural stability of the exterior wall.
Architecture is inspired by the process of natural formation. A porous space similar to a geological structure was created, inspired by the carving of the landscape by wind and water, as well as the erosion of ice by hot water. The atrium of the building welcomes visitors and is ready to explore. The atrium structure introduces natural light into the building while providing the best view of different spaces, as well as physical links. Its structural walls and arches carry the gravity load of the building. Shotcrete technology is used for construction, which is a technology mainly used in infrastructure. It directly sprays structural concrete on the steel bars formed by digital modeling. This technology eliminates the waste of templates and realizes seamless, visual, and spatial continuity, and its form extends outward to the park and surrounding communities. The structure was invented by museum naturalist and taxidermist Carl Akeley in the early 20th century.
The bridges and openings in the hand-finished shotcrete physically and visually connect visitors to the new exhibition halls. These exhibition halls and museums create a sight that welcomes visitors and encourages people to enter and pass through the entire building. The verticality of the atrium is also a key sustainable development feature, providing natural light and air circulation for the center of the building.
The verticality of the Gilder Center is the key to reducing its overall energy demand. The atrium brings natural light and air circulation into the depths of the building. The high-performance exterior structure of the building is decorated with stone, and the windows and shade trees help to achieve passive cooling in summer. In addition, efficient irrigation systems cold-resistant native vegetation, and adaptive plants provide support for wildlife. The environmental strategy of the project enables the building itself to show care for the natural world, which is the core of the museum’s mission.
Starting from the courtyard, crossing the bridge, moving along the edge, and passing through the arched opening, visitors can easily find and enter the surrounding project space. These spaces include an insect pavilion and butterfly farm, which have exhibitions that interact with living insects and ecological models; a five-story collection core area that accommodates more than 3 million scientific specimens, of which three floors have scientific collection exhibitions from astronomy to geography; “Invisible World” is an immersive experience that shows how all life on earth is interconnected; there are also expanded research libraries, advanced classrooms, learning laboratories and educational areas, serving from small students to professional science teachers.
The future outlook of the Gilder Center
The completion of the Gilder Center marks a new era for the New York Museum of Natural History. Through its innovative design and advanced facilities, the Gilder Center not only enhances the overall functionality and visitor experience of the museum but also provides a solid platform for scientific research, educational promotion and exhibition innovation. Its integration of natural-inspired architectural aesthetics and the concept of sustainable development not only coexist in harmony with the surrounding environment but also demonstrates its deep care for the natural world.
As a comprehensive center integrating science, education, and innovation, the Gilder Center attracts visitors from all ages and backgrounds, stimulating their interest in science and the spirit of exploration. Whether it is an immersive ”invisible world” experience or a rich and diverse collection display, the Gilder Center provides the public with in-depth understanding and interaction opportunities. At the same time, advanced research facilities and educational spaces also provide an ideal environment for scientists and educators, promoting the continuous progress of scientific research and education.
In the future, the Gilder Center will continue to play its important role in science communication and education and become an important hub for scientific and cultural exchanges in New York and even around the world. Through continuous innovation and development, the Gilder Center will not only enrich the connotation of the museum but also cultivate more talents with scientific literacy and an innovative spirit for society. Overall, the establishment of the Gilder Center is not only an important milestone in the development of the New York Museum of Natural History but also an important force in promoting scientific progress and public education, which will leave a profound impact in the years to come.