Guggenheim Museum in NYC

Guggenheim Museum in NYCArchitect :Frank Lloyd Wright

Year(s) of construction:1956-1959

Year(s) of remodeling :2006-2008

Location :New York, United States

Coordinates:40° 46' 58" N, 73° 57' 32" W 

INTRODUCTION The Guggenheim Museum in New York is

the first museum established by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, dedicated to modern art. Founded in 1937 in Upper East Side, NY, it is the best known of all the museums of the foundation, and is often called simply "The Guggenheim".

The project was involved in complex discussions between the architect and the client in the city, the art world and public opinion, because of the contrast of its forms within the grid of the city of New York. 

In 1992 the building was complimented with a rectangular tower, higher than the original spiral.

This modification to Wright's original design created a strong controversy.

LOCATION

The Guggenheim is situated with a view of the famous Central Park, offering a great combination of views to walkers in the city.

Address: 1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th Street) New York, NY 10128-0173, USA

Accessibility: Stopping the 86th Street subway (lines 4, 5 and 6) or bus lines M1, M2, M3 and M4.

CONCEPT

The building itself became a work of art. From the street, the building looks like a white ribbon rolled into a cylindrical shape, slightly wider at the top than at the bottom. Internally, the galleries form a spiral. Thus, the visitor sees the work as you walk up the illuminated spiral ramp.

Its design was inspired by a "Ziggurat" Babylonian temple pyramid, inverted.

SPACES

The Museum Guggenheim exhibits a great difference to the buildings in the vicinity because of its spiral shape, marked by the merging of triangles, ovals, arcs, circles and squares, which correspond to the concept of organic architecture used by Frank Lloyd Wright in his designs.

The tour begins at the entrance and slowly leads visitors to a path where the artworks are exposed along a spiral ramp lit by a large skylight at its zenith divided in the shape of a citrus fruit.

Wright directs visitors via a ramp to the top of the building, and down a gentle helicoidal ramp so that almost without realizing it, the work set out at different levels is interconnected, yet distinct from one another by a small transitional space that is almost imperceptible.

If we stop for a moment and look toward the center of the spiral we realize how impressive this building is, reminiscent of a snail, which allows us to see the center of the rotunda and various levels of exposure of the spiral ramp downward.

A more detailed observation shows the interaction of geometric shapes subtly positioned, dominated by triangles, ovals (including the columns), arcs, circles and squares.

The paths around the great central emptiness promote the reflection upon and the enjoyment of the art.

The meaning of the art is communicated via the trip through this New York Museum.

The provision of semi-open exhibition halls gives visitors an overview of the entire building from any point up the central aisle. Also, it calls attention to the mosaic on the ground floor.

In the conquest of the static regularity of geometric design and combined with the plasticity of nature, Wright produced a vibrant building whose architecture is as refreshing now as it was 40 years ago. The Guggenheim of Wright is probably the most eloquent presentation and certainly the most important building of his late career.

STRUCTURE

This building has a spiral structure featuring a large exhibition hall lit by a skylight.

MATERIALS

The materials used in its construction were basically precast concrete blocks.

The white paint used on the internal walls makes the works of art stand out.

The skylight is supported by steel joints.

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