Good display requires soft diffuse light from above. The current design allows only harsh glare filled light from the side, creating a light deprived environment.

Solutions:
Primary among the adjustments made to accomplish the above goals is the replacement of the arched roof trusses with Vierendeel trusses. This new structure brings in light from above and uses the new space for offices, artist's studios and a cafe. Skylights set continuously between the trusses light the new musuem's central high bay gallery and establish continuity between old and new.

Furthermore, these new trusses and their skylights establish a new lacy light-filled iamge for the musuem. This image is further enhanced by a gateway facing the Grand Central Parkway, that incorporates signage and a video display.

Clearstory windows have been set at the outer perimeter of the penthouse and below in the zone currently occupied by the building's cornice. This provides a quality of light ideal for the musuem as it falls from above and can be filtered to a soft and safe display illumination.

Both the North and South walls have been opened up, creating new entry courtyards. The east and west walls retain the existing building's columns in a new context - as pilasters offering scale, a rhythm and a remembrance of 1939. There is a desire to retain 1939, 1965 and 1992 in an altered presence as a reference.