magazzino italian art pavilion by alberto campo baeza and miguel quismondo completes

MagaZZino Museum extension – Robert Olnick Pavilion

The Magazzino Italian Art Museum’s extension in Cold Springs, NY, is now complete. Designed by architects Alberto Campo Baeza and Miguel Quismondo, the expansion is titled Robert Olnick Pavilion and takes shape as a rectangular two-story building with square openings strategically carved into its cubic concrete structure. These openings allow natural light to flood the interior throughout the day, creating a captivating spatial ambiance that enhances the exhibition space.

the exterior of the Robert Olnick Pavilion | image by Marco Anelli (head image by William Mulvihill)

alberto Campo Baeza and Miguel Quismondo design isotropic space for exhibitions

The new pavilion at Magazzino Museum (find more here) houses the Murano glass collection, the cafeteria, and more exhibition spaces. Alberto Campo Baeza (find more here) and Miguel Quismondo (find more here) put special emphasis on the main exhibit area, which is a white, cubic, isotropic space that accommodates temporary exhibitions and serves as a focal point of the museum. ‘Isotropic space, as defined by the dictionary of the Royal Academy, has the same characteristics in all directions and from any point. If we could fly from the center, the space would be identical in all directions,’ the architects explain.

Within this cubic, white, and isotropic space, strategically designed openings are meticulously placed to invite sunlight throughout the day. These openings not only enhance the spatial experience but also serve as doorways when positioned on walls in contact with the floor. ‘Following simple logic, we eliminated the opening corresponding to the floor plane. In addition, we created a particularly interesting feature by drilling a 2.10 x 2.10 deep hole in the center of the wall, so that the entire spatial operation can be understood at a glance,’ Alberto Campo Baeza and Miguel Quismondo share.

the pavilion takes shape as a rectangular two-story building with square openings | image by Javier Callejas

the concrete building against its lush green surroundings | image by William Mulvihill

inner courtyards of the new pavilion | image by William Mulvihill

strategically designed openings are meticulously placed to invite sunlight throughout the day | image by Javier Callejas

the openings and the resulting lighting effects enhance the spatial experience | image by Javier Callejas

the openings also serve as doorways when positioned on walls in contact with the floor | image by Javier Callejas

the interior of the pavilion is described as a cubic, white, and isotropic space | image by William Mulvihill

the new pavilion at Magazzino Museum houses the Murano glass collection, the cafeteria, and more exhibition spaces | image by William Mulvihill

repeated rectangular shapes are featured throughout the pavilion design | image by William Mulvihill

project info:

name: Robert Olnick Pavilion
architects: Alberto Campo Baeza & Miguel Quismondo
client: Magazzino Italian Art Foundation
location: Cold Springs, NY
built area: 1,208 sqm (13,000 sqft)
construction manager: Miguel Quismondo
project architect: Jacobo Mingorance
collaborator: Ignacio Aguirre López, Alejandro Cervilla García, Tommaso Campiotti, Juan Carlos Bragado, Ignacio
de Silóniz, Alfonso Guajardo-Fajardo Cruz, María Pérez de Camino Díez, David Vera García, Sara Fernández
Trucios, Luca Redaelli, Gloria Saá García, William Mulvihill
structural engineer: Michael P. Carr, P.E., María Concepción Pérez Gutiérrez
MEP engineers: CES-Consulting Engineering Services Engineers
lighting consultant: MAP Design Studio Cost Consultant: Slocum Construction Consulting, Inc
photography: Javier Callejas, William Mulvihill, Marco Anelli