Marcel Breuer’s 1966 former Whitney Museum is among the most distinguished Mid-century Modern buildings in north America. As part of the Beyer Blinder Belle team, Miriam Kelly led the repair and adaptation of the building to house The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s contemporary art collection. The Met requested the sensitive restoration of the 1966 interiors as if they were a work of art in their collection, echoing Breuer’s own description of the building as a sculpture and “a self-relying unit exposed to history”. The project meticulously restored the mid-century interiors and overall character of the building, while clarifying visitor flow, upgrading building systems and creating a new presence for The Met.

Marcel Breuer believed architectural materials become more dignified over time through weathering and use. Accordingly, the restoration was executed with a light touch, carefully distinguishing patina from damage and expressing the modulation of richly textured surfaces. Gentle, targeted cleaning and repairs addressed specific damage. Inappropriate or obsolete interventions made after 1966 were removed. New lighting was custom-made to match the historic light levels and color temperature essential to rendering the gray contrast and textures of the stone and concrete. New interventions were limited, contemporary in style and materially distinct, while capturing the spirit of Breuer’s rigor and craftsmanship.