Aperture Foundation Headquarters

Sciame is the Construction Manager responsible for the gut renovation and interior fit out of the Aperture Foundation’s new headquarters, located in a mixed-use building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side across the street from the American Museum of Natural History.

The head office will be occupying the building’s ground floor, allowing for greater visibility of the group’s exhibitions, bookstore, and public programing, while the cellar level will house additional offices for administrative and publication staff. A three-stop lift at the entry mezzanine will be installed making both the ground and cellar levels wheelchair accessible. The exterior portion of the building calls for the removal and replacement of the main entry door and the side lights of the building’s landmark facade to allow for an ADA entrance.

The project requires selective interior demolition of the ground floor slab areas and select excavation of the cellar floor for the installation of three sets of powder coated steel architectural stairs featuring hidden stringers and open risers. Additionally, structural steel and overlaying concrete is needed to integrate the new floor areas. The interior space involves high quality masonry restoration and new masonry work, and ceiling and wall framing with preferred lime wash on all exposed brick surfaces. The scope includes new systems (MEP/AV/IT/FA), bathrooms, kitchenettes, full height glass office partitions, polished concrete floors throughout, and an extensive furniture package including custom powder coated aluminum shelving systems and custom millwork desks and built ins.