THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Entomology Department

Location: New York, NY
Size: 10,000 square feet
Project Type: Renovation and Space Planning

Despite housing one of the world’s largest collections of insects, including many types of specimens, the Entomology Department’s storage facility had not been renovated for 25 years. The growth of the collection had exceeded its capacity, space was limited in the existing building, and yet off-site storage was not feasible because the collections needed to be accessible for research activities.

Jeffrey Berman Architect evaluated the space and determined that through compacting existing storage and adding an additional level for compact storage and a half-level for material storage, sufficient storage could be provided in the envelope of the existing building to provide 30-50 years of collection growth.

The renovation expanded the storage capacity by a factor of three without affecting the landmark facades or interiors. The completed space includes compact collections storage, supply storage, curatorial work areas and reference library accommodation. Special lighting was also installed in collections storage and curatorial workareas. Museum collection environmental systems with temperature and humidity controls and special ventilation modes were designed to protect the collections and the research and conservation staff.