Customers and building occupants are essential to many facilities, so every now and then, facilities require renovations to meet the needs of these populations. Consider the case of New York's esteemed Museum of Modern Art, which will close for five months starting this summer as the institution undergoes a $400 million makeover.
The main building on West 53rd Street will close completely June 15-Oct. 21, 2019. The expansion will add more than 40,000 square feet of gallery space and is being developed to exhibit more art in original ways across media and disciplines. MoMa previously closed for renovations for two years in 2004, when its major holdings were moved to Queens.
Glenn Lowry, MoMA’s director, told The New York Times the renovation reflects a seismic shift in the way "the story of modern and contemporary art is presented” at the 89-year-old institution, with a renewed focus on women, minority and international artists, according to Newsweek.
The renovation also will add a second-floor education space and free street-level galleries. When MoMA reopens in October, it will exhibit a survey of Latin artists and exhibitions dedicated to African-American artists Betye Saar and Pope.L.
Ryan Berlin is managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
