MATTHEW BROWN GALLERY

New York | 2024

MATTHEW BROWN GALLERY

Matthew Brown New York occupies the ground floor of a historic landmarked cast-iron building in the Tribeca neighborhood. Originally constructed as a manufacturing building in 1860, the landmarked cast-iron structure retains many of its historical Italianate design details. The design approach emphasizes the original industrial character of the building. The 3,500-square-foot renovation pays homage to the structure‘s heritage while infusing contemporary elements for a seamless blend of past and present.

A defining feature of the design is maximizing the visibility of the main gallery space from Broadway. The layout, characterized by a fluid succession of areas including a reception space, first gallery, main gallery, and viewing room, beckons visitors on a journey of artistic discovery. The light-colored concrete floor seamlessly spans the entire floor plan. The white walls, ceilings, historical tin and trims, fitted cupboards, and shelves create a visually serene and flexible space. This flexibility allows the gallery and its artists to exhibit sculptures on the concrete floor, hang art from the existing steel beams, and exhibit a diverse range of artwork.

The design focuses on creating an expansive main gallery space (25 feet x 50 feet) and an intimate, perfectly squared, viewing room (25 feet x 25 feet). Additionally, the new gallery features private and open offices as well as storage space. Large format pocket doors (5 feet x 12 feet) connect the two main exhibition spaces, allowing artists to merge both spaces into one if desired. Both the reception space and viewing room maintain the building‘s character by preserving its original tin ceilings and trims, all painted white.

PHOTO CREDITS

Roland Halbe