magazzino italian art to expand campus with building by alberto campo baeza and miguel quismondo

magazzino italian art, the museum and research center dedicated to advancing the public appreciation of postwar and contemporary italian art in the united states, has announced plans to expand its campus in cold spring, new york. a new building, designed by alberto campo baeza and miguel quismondo, will result in flexible, light-filled exhibition spaces that will support the institution’s growing program.

all images by JC bragado & J mingorance, courtesy of magazzino italian art

designed by spanish architects alberto campo baeza and miguel quismondo, the latter of which designed magazzino’s main building, the new free-standing pavilion will enable the nonprofit museum to support its growing program across its campus. this expansion will create over 5,000 square feet (465 sqm) of flexible exhibition and programming spaces as well as new visitor amenities, including a reading lounge and a café. groundbreaking is expected to begin in spring 2021, with exhibitions and programs continuing uninterrupted at magazzino’s main building.

nestled in a hillside on magazzino’s campus, the new pavilion will be located adjacent to the main building and will mirror the structure in its rectilinear design. with a concrete façade punctuated by windows and a series of skylights, the pavilion will foster a dialogue between art, architecture, and the surrounding natural landscape. the building will add nearly 3,600 square feet (330 sqm) of new gallery space to the campus, including two natural light-filled galleries for special exhibitions on its main level and a third gallery on its lower floor for the display of murano glass, and ceramics.

meanwhile, the lower level will feature a flexible, 1,500-square-foot (140 sqm) programming space overlooking a sunken outdoor courtyard that will enable the museum to host community programs year-round, including film screenings, lectures, panel discussions, and other educational and public events. on its top floor, which meets the ledge of the hilly terrain, a café and reading lounge with indoor and outdoor seating will provide visitors for an opportunity for a moment of respite.

‘conceived to complement the existing museum building and reflect its elegant and simple modern design, the new pavilion brings a new dimension to the museum’s evolving campus,’ said project architect miguel quismondo. ‘I am thrilled to be working with my mentor alberto campo baeza on the design for this new structure’. see designboom’s previous coverage of the museum here.

project info:

name: new pavilion at magazzino italian art 
location: cold spring, NY
architects: alberto campo baeza and miguel quismondo
client: magazzino italian art
status: groundbreaking expected for spring 2021