New York, New York, USA
After four decades in its original space, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is transforming a historic 19th-century church into a 21st-century environment for learning, discovery, and play.
Designed by FXCollaborative, the holistic adaptive reuse project will restore and revitalize the building, honoring its historic form while sensitively adding contemporary elements to improve functionality, circulation, and accessibility.
Originally designed by Carrère and Hastings (1899-1903), First Church of Christ Scientist sold the building when it merged with another congregation; and after several attempts by developers to convert the building into upscale condominiums, the non-profit Children’s Museum of Manhattan secured the property.
Through the mixing of the new and vital with the old and venerated, the expanded museum will better serve the community with an increased exhibition and activity spaces.
In its earlier design, the Landmarks Preservation Commission questioned the size and configuration of a proposed rooftop addition; the location and visibility of an elevator bulkhead; the size of signs and banners, and the extent to which original stained glass would be removed. Now FXCollaborative has refocused particularly on a respectful transformation of the historic building into a broadly accessible public space.
To that end, the ornate masonry façade is largely left intact with the exception of existing stained glass windows and doorways.
Inside CMOM, visitors will embark upon a journey of discovery and surprise as they learn from and experience the museum’s varied exhibits and programming.
All stained-glass windows will receive new bronze frames, mullions, and the glass borders will be repaired and restored along each elevation.
The apex of the structure will house a mix of performance and workshop spaces.
The building’s distinctive barrel vault will be highlighted, as will its tall, arched windows that will feature a mixture of original translucent stained glass and clear glass panels to maximize natural light and permit views to the outdoors.
The design expands the interior space of the original building by inserting floors and creating a new programmatic space within the building’s rooftop—to be animated by performances, exhibits, and workshops.
An attic walk and terrace will provide visitors with spectacular vistas of Central Park and the city, as well as a different way to experience the historic architecture.
FXCollaborative Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Architects: FXCollaborative
Original Architects: Carrère and Hastings (1899-1903)
Client: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
