Museum of Modern Art, Gallery Lighting

Photos by Iwan Baan

2019
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Gensler
New York, NY

17,000 GSF

Museums & Galleries

The Museum of Modern Art is acclaimed as one of America’s most comprehensive collection of modern works. In 2019, the museum was massively renovated and expanded to incorporate new, modernized public spaces and galleries to remain competitive and immersive. Three individual expansions offer more space to house the permanent collection and rotating exhibitions.

Renfro Design Group’s mission was to rethink the museum’s gallery lighting design for all renovated spaces. To support the most flexibility possible, RDG created an inset gridded track system running throughout the galleries, spaced in such a way where spotlights placed along these tracks would illuminate all artwork cohesively. A single spotlight design was used throughout all of the galleries, offering ideal color-rendering and adjustable dimming. In the project room, minimal linear light fixtures were used to elongate the space and wash walls. Fixtures run perpendicular to the track system to provide ample space for other spotlights and emergency light units.

RDG created dynamic layers of light for the Museum of Modern Art’s galleries while offering flexibility to rotating exhibitions. Paired with newly designed public spaces, the MoMA continues to hold its world-renowned reputation as an esteemed collection of pivotal works in modern history, encompassed in a contemporary setting.