Gruzen Samton * IBI Group Arch. receives AIA NYS Award of Merit

Gruzen Samton * IBI Group Architects received a 2011 AIA New York State Award of Merit for El Museo del Barrio in the Adaptive Reuse category. The presentation took place on September 22, at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City in conjunction with the AIA Tri-State Conference. El Museo is the prominent Latino cultural institution located in the Hecksher Building at East 104th St. on Manhattan's Museum Mile. Our design team worked closely with the client to fulfill its goal of creating an open, inviting new public face to 5th Ave. and the museum space within. The highlights include: * New identity for client - placemaking with a revitalized entry plaza and space-defining canopy. * Addition of exterior glass wall replacing opaque solid masonry façade to create a new link between the north and south wings of the museum. * Creation of a new lobby, museum shop, café, curatorial workspace and theater entrance. * Renovation of existing galleries to improve the viewer experience and enlarge the displays. * Conservation, preservation and relocation of historic Grueby faience tile panels. * Developed under the watchful eye of the NYC Public Design Commission, the project won its Design Excellence award given by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2004.