Renovation, transformation and extension of historically landmarked buildings – dating from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries – containing a brand new 300-seat concert hall, as well as new exhibition and library spaces.

Rehearsal in the new 300-seat auditorium.
Auditorium.
One of the technical galleries as seen from stage.
Auditorium. Curved acoustic reflection panels on the celling.
Acoustic panels detail.
Reading room, before installation of the furniture.
Morgan Library & Museum, Madison Avenue, New York.
Photo Todd Eberle
Morgan Library
& Library central piazza.
Photo Todd Eberle
The Morgan Library offices open out onto the central piazza.
Opening event in May 2006 in the central piazza of the Morgan Library & Museum. Located at the heart of the building, between the museum spaces, the library, the auditorium and the offices, the piazza can serve as a conference and concert space, and as a restaurant.
Information Sheet

//////

Location   New York, USA. Historic landmark building.

Project Cost   $70 million.

Time Frame   Start of design in 2001, opening of the renovated and enlarged facility including the new auditorium in May 2006.

Owner   Pierpont Morgan Library.

Architect(s)   Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Genoa/Paris.

Theatre Planner(s)   David Harvey, Harvey Marshall Berling Associates, New York.

Seat Count   300-seat auditorium, exhibition spaces, public piazza, reading rooms and offices. Total area 8 000 m².

Uses   Auditorium: concerts, recitals, projections, conferences. Public Piazza: opening receptions, conferences and lectures, café. Exhibitions and reading rooms.

Services   Basic and acoustical concept; acoustical and theater planning consulting throughout the project.

Team   Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics; in collaboration with David Harvey, Harvey Marshall Berling Associates, New York, for audiovisual and theatre equipment design.