Vilcek Foundation

Photos by Elizabeth Felicella

2019
Architecture Research Office

6,700 GSF

Museums & Galleries,
Exhibitions

The extensive renovation of the landmark 1919 marble-façade building serves as the new home for the Vilcek Foundation, an organization founded to raise public awareness of the contributions of immigrants to the sciences, arts, and culture in the United States. The new space allows for exhibitions on the first two floors and administrative functions on the upper floors.

Renfro Design Group worked with ARO to provide a flexible art lighting system with multiple layers of light for both galleries. Integrated wall wash lighting provides a general wash of light on all vertical walls, while recessed track allows for an additional layer of accent lighting. Each recessed fixture throughout the gallery is individually controllable and adjustable, allowing for the lighting to adapt to any art medium including sculpture, video, and paper. The ceiling of the galleries is articulated to allow the lighting and other devices to regress out of view, keeping the focus on the artwork. Direct – indirect lighting illuminates task areas of the two floors of office space and administrative spaces. Additional wall wash lighting highlights artwork in circulation areas and other common spaces. A multi-storymural within the primary stair is washed with a soft wash of light. In addition to interior spaces, a new entry door was added. Lighting within the door jamb highlights the texture of the moiré effect bronze slats. The full exterior façade and nighttime image was considered, allowing the galleries and interior spaces to glow through the historic façade like a lantern.

Renfro Design Group maintains an on-going relationship with the Foundation, providing focusing support for new exhibitions annually