The Metropolitan Museum of Art - 81st Street Studio

Photos by Richard Lee, courtesy of The MET

2023
KoKo Architecture + Design
New York, NY

4,000 GSF renovation

Museums & Galleries,
Education & Libraries

Nestled within NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the studio promises to be an imaginative oasis for young learners when it opens in September 2023. Renfro Design Group’s lighting concepts harmonize seamlessly with the architect’s playful design, inviting curiosity and imagination while emphasizing sensory experiences for kids ages 3-11 and their families.

RDG has interwoven dynamic lighting solutions to both captivate and educate, infusing delight through interactive lighting experiences. Reading nooks, cocooned in warmth and comfort, come alive with color-changing lighting based on occupancy. As young readers immerse themselves in stories, the lighting responds, transforming their nooks into vibrant, personalized havens. Elsewhere, grazing lights highlight material textures and accentuate oversized, playable musical instruments, merging touch, sight, and sound in exploration.

Tucked into playful tree canopies, projectors with color filters and gobos mimic the seasonal changes in dappled sunlight through leaves. Animated shade and shadows engage the youngest visitors in a journey through a year in New York City. Nearby, a tunable cove mirrors the color and intensity shift of natural daylight, guiding visitors with light through a day’s progression. Through playful lighting approaches, visitors are encouraged to explore the wonders of our natural world.