American Museum of Natural History Gilder Center

Designed by architect Jeanne Gang and set into the Columbus Avenue side of the Museum complex at 79th Street, the project will add exhibition galleries, state-of-the-art classrooms, an immersive theater, a redesigned library, and a Collections Core that will reveal more of the Museum’s scientific collections. At a time of urgent need to enhance the public understanding of science, the Gilder Center will expand access to a broader range of the Museum’s resources for students, teachers, and families, offering new learning opportunities and inviting all visitors to share in the excitement of discovery.

Reed Hilderbrand is providing a comprehensive set of landscape design services to the American Museum of Natural History’s Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. Project work includes the renewal of more than 75,000 square feet of Theodore Roosevelt Park, a public space owned by the City and operated as a New York City public park. Improvements to plantings, circulation, and placemaking enhance the experiential and functional qualities of the park. Reed Hilderbrand participated in intensive public approvals with Landmarks Preservation Commission, Public Design Commission, and Community Board to secure final approval.

The design of the renewed Theodore Roosevelt Park maintains the park’s fundamental character and existing uses while increasing canopy and new understory trees near Gilder Center, as well as expanded open space and new benches for both play and respite. Selective edits to the park’s wrought iron fencing make the Roosevelt Park more inclusive and generous.