Cooper Hewitt

New York, NY

As part of a Task Order Contract for the Smithsonian Institution, EE&K has performed a variety of tasks for the Cooper Hewitt National Museum of Design. Noted architects, Babb, Cook & Willard, designed the mansion in 1901 for steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie. EE&K performed a conditions survey of the exterior masonry to evaluate the extent of deterioration during the museum’s 25-year tenancy. The survey included all elements on the property including an analysis of the existing mounting methods securing the original century old Wisteria vine at the south façade. The monumental wrought and cast iron fence was also surveyed and documented.

The Andrew Carnegie Mansion’s Music Room was transformed into a state-of-the-art gallery housing a rotating exhibit of the museum’s permanent collections. Work included restoring and cleaning the original decorative plaster ceiling; restoring historic boiserie paneling and repainting it in more historically accurate colors; and installing an innovative cable lighting system that preserved the integrity of the room while providing flexible exhibit illumination. The entire task was performed in one month, and met budget and schedule requirements.

EE&K designed the Target Educational Center by renovating a portion of the Museum’s ground floor. The new space features a lecture area, renovated public spaces, and gathering rooms suitable for use as classrooms or meeting rooms.