the met's david h. koch plaza by OLIN opens in new york

the metropolitan museum‘s ‘david h. koch plaza’ has opened to the public in new york, providing a welcoming point of entrance for the institution’s six million annual visitors. the redesigned public space, part of a two year renovation project – intended to transform the city’s famous fifth avenue – was completed by landscape architects OLIN and features granite fountains, stone paving and a variety of permanent and temporary seating.

all images © the metropolitan museum of art

the fountains, designed by fluidity design consultants, are operational year-round, bracketing the grand stairs to create an energized connection with people sitting on the building’s steps. the 106 trees planted by the museum during the renovation more than doubles the former number on the plaza, with carefully positioned bosques ensuring that 40% of the vast space is shaded. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the plaza is part of a two year renovation project, intended to transform 5th avenue

dennis mcglade, partner at OLIN, commented: ‘designing a civic open space of such a scale, in the middle of manhattan, in front of one of the premiere art institutions in the world—the metropolitan museum of art—has been a great privilege and responsibility. we thank david koch not only for his great generosity, but also for his enthusiasm and interest in all aspects of the project. to quote from jane jacobs: ‘the ballet of the good city sidewalk never repeats itself from place to place, and in any once place is always replete with new improvisations.’

the fountains are operational year-round, bracketing the grand stairs

‘this project is a new public space of great importance, one that will benefit and delight not only the more than six million visitors who come to see the met’s magnificent collection and galleries each year, but also the entire community of new yorkers and visitors to the city,’ said daniel brodsky, the museum’s chairman. ‘we are immensely grateful to david koch for his vision and generosity—in one philanthropic gesture, he made this transformative project possible.’

the water display creates an energized connection with people sitting on the building’s steps

the 106 trees planted by the museum during the renovation more than doubles the former number on the plaza

carefully positioned bosques of trees ensure that 40% of the space is shaded

the project provides a welcoming point of entrance for the institution’s six million annual visitors

lighting subtly illuminates the plaza at night