Oct 24, 2009
Norman Foster has designed an imposing and innovative eight story gallery to rise on the Bowery this spring: “Once you look at putting in an elevator able to move significant works of art, the next stage is to say, ‘Why doesn’t the major gallery become the elevator?’ ” Mr. Foster said in a recent interview in Madrid, where an exhibition of his sketches had just opened. While the elevator could fit up to 240 people, only a few are expected to occupy it at a time. It will move more at a rate of 50 feet per minute, rather than the more typical speed of 150, to allow time for people to admire the art inside. “We want it to move very slowly, so you’re not interrupted in seeing the artwork,” said Michael Wurzel, the Foster architect in charge of the project in New York. “It’s not a 20-floor office building where everybody is impatient.” He added, “The whole concept is, you almost don’t realize you’re in an elevator.” Sliver of Space on Bowery Is a Challenge for Norman Foster - NYTimes.com

Norman Foster has designed an imposing and innovative eight story gallery to rise on the Bowery this spring:

“Once you look at putting in an elevator able to move significant works of art, the next stage is to say, ‘Why doesn’t the major gallery become the elevator?’ ” Mr. Foster said in a recent interview in Madrid, where an exhibition of his sketches had just opened.

While the elevator could fit up to 240 people, only a few are expected to occupy it at a time. It will move more at a rate of 50 feet per minute, rather than the more typical speed of 150, to allow time for people to admire the art inside.

“We want it to move very slowly, so you’re not interrupted in seeing the artwork,” said Michael Wurzel, the Foster architect in charge of the project in New York. “It’s not a 20-floor office building where everybody is impatient.”

He added, “The whole concept is, you almost don’t realize you’re in an elevator.”

Sliver of Space on Bowery Is a Challenge for Norman Foster - NYTimes.com

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