Rafael Viñoly Architects opens new $49m building at Brooklyn Children's Museum

Brooklyn Children's Museum celebrated the opening of its $49 million newly expanded building, and simultaneously became both the world's newest and oldest children's museum. Completely new exhibitions, programs, and visitor amenities provide a wonderland of discovery for children, parents, grandparents, and school groups in the playfully designed facility. The newly expanded museum - founded in 1899 as the world's first museum created expressly for children - is also slated to be the first museum in New York City to go green and receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Among the facility's green features are flooring and display cases made from renewable or recycled content, a geothermal heating and cooling system, photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, and waterless urinals. Architect Rafael Viñoly designed the expansion of the museum. "Our new daffodil-yellow museum will serve as a beacon of inspiration and wonder for all who visit - children, parents, educators, neighbors, tourists, and the world," said Carol Enseki, the Museum's president. "We've specifically designed our new building with soaring ceilings and abundant natural light, creating the best possible atmosphere to spark the curiosity of children, encouraging them to develop a respect for themselves, others, and the world around them as they transform into budding anthropologists, scientists, artists, and adventurers. Our new exhibitions and programs, along with our already-rich collections, embrace the vibrant diversity of our surroundings in Brooklyn and continue the tradition of excellence we have maintained for more than 100 years." Viñoly created a two-story design that wraps and incorporates the museum's former building. The 51,000 s/f expansion adds to the museum's existing 51,000 s/f. Additional space allows far more room for permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring art, science, and culture; educational programs for children, families, and school groups; and modern visitor amenities, including a new café, a new gift shop, a new coat check, and additional restrooms. In planning the expansion and developing its capital master plan, the museum worked closely with community leaders, city partners, and national advisors. The project has raised a total of $80 million over 10 years for the expansion of its facility, exhibits, programs, and endowment. The city of New York provided a total of $48 million for the expansion and renovation of the building, with an additional $1 million coming from New York state. The museum raised $19.5 million from private sources and competitive government grants for new exhibits, programs, and endowment, with a further $11.5 million raised toward future phases of the master plan.