The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has recently opened up what many believe is “New York’s most exciting building.” The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation makes over 30 connections across 10 of the Museum’s buildings in order to make a more seamless experience for visitors.
The Gilder Center was designed by Studio Gang, an international and urban practice firm led by Jeanne Gang. The building would not have been possible without Richard Gilder and the Gilder Foundation, as they supported the construction from the beginning. Additionally, the GIlder Center is welcomed with support from the City of New York.
Probably the most amazing part of the Richard Gilder Center is its architecture. The design was inspired by nature’s beauty, with leadership and innovation in mind. The natural paths wind around landscapes that visitors are excited to explore, and there are many forms of water, including carved blocks of ice. Visitors can enter through the Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium; a stunning, naturally lit space with arching walls, bridges, and caverns for people to delve into. The Atrium also offers exhibitions, collection spaces, and classrooms and is four levels.
The Richard Gilder Center and The Griffin Atrium were both constructed using a spray technique known as “shotcrete.” Shotcrete is construction done by spraying structural concrete directly into the metal without pre-emptive formwork. This idea was invented by a Museum naturalist Carl Akeley.
The Gilder Center’s architectural beauty is complete with teh addition of Milforn pink granite; the same stone that is used for the Museum’s entrances. To keep the building in touch with nature—as that was the goal from the beginning—rounded windows made from bird-safe glass accentuate the building.
Some of the main attractions that visitors can look forward to when at the AMNH’s Richard Gilder Center are the Invisible Worlds, Alcove Library, and the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium.
The Invisible Worlds exhibit offers a twelve minute long immersive experience that allows the human eye to discover moments otherwise impossible to capture. People can learn why their hand resembles a bat’s wing or how organisms interact with ecosystems. As visitors walk through the experience, they can travel through the Brazilian rainforest, follow a jellyfish migration, or delve into the human brain.
The Alcove Library explores the history, significance, and challenges that have accompanied science. The library focuses specifically on insects and houses rare books and other holdings such as a screen print by Andy Warhol illustrating endangered butterfly species. The Alcove Library also offers comfortable seating, public computer terminals, and a wall-to-wall bookcase displaying collections that highlight the history of the Museum.
As the Gilder Center aims to connect and unify the many exhibits the AMNH has to offer, the center offers visitors the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium where they can be amongst over 80 species of butterflies after learning about them at the Alcove Library. The vivarium also offers to see a pupae incubator, and some visitors may be able to see a chrysalis split and an adult butterfly emerge and expand its wings.
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents may purchase general admission tickets that will allow them access to any of the exhibits in the Richard Gilder Center. Members of the American Museum of Natural History may visit for free.
