Location
257 Bowery
Completion
2010
Client
Sperone Westwater
Square Footage
25,000 SF
Design Architect
Foster + Partners
Executive Architect
AAI Architects, P.C.
Sperone Westwater Gallery
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the construction of the eight-story gallery located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, one block north of the New Museum. Prompted by Sperone Westwater’s increasing need for larger and more flexible space, the design doubled the exhibition area and provided a variety of rooms for the gallery.
A distinctive innovation in the design includes a moving exhibition space, a 12 x 20-foot moving hall that connects the five floors where works of art will be on view. This exhibition space now allows visitors to move gradually between levels. A prominent feature along the Bowery, its gentle pace contrasts with the fast-moving traffic. At any given floor, the exhibition space can be extended by parking the moving hall as required.
The two layers of facade that house the moving exhibit act as a buffer zone, protecting the building from extreme temperatures and acoustically insulating the galleries. A series of openings in the outer layer of this façade, together with the moving exhibition elements, provides a natural flow of air and supports the building’s sustainable agenda.
The design incorporates a mezzanine floor and doubleheight display area at street level, a sculpture terrace towards the park and a private viewing gallery at the top of the public floors. A setback marks the location of the offices. Works of art will be stored primarily in the basement, while an extensive library is located at the top of the building below the mechanical floor. The design will set new standards in experiencing art and pioneer an innovative approach to vertical movement within a gallery building.
Project Awards
AIA New York Chapter Design Award
Architecture Design Award of Merit
Thanks a Half-Billion! – At Sciame Construction, we proudly led the effort to reimagine the WTC Memorial and Museum, a project of national significance. Frank Sciame, our founder, was tasked with creating a design that honored the original vision while staying within a $500 million budget. Working closely with Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and a team of 13 advisers, including notable figures like Jack Rudin and Robert Douglass, we developed cost-effective design options, ultimately reducing the budget from nearly $1 billion to $510 million. Our approach preserved key elements like the voids, waterfalls, and pools while optimizing infrastructure and resizing the museum. Sciame’s commitment to excellence ensured a memorial that balances beauty, dignity, and sustainability.
Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center – Though relatively small in size, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center was a technically complex project successfully constructed and delivered by Sciame Construction. This groundbreaking laboratory made an outsized impact on global health. It was here that Dr. David Ho pioneered the development of the revolutionary “AIDS cocktail,” a combination therapy that transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. His groundbreaking work earned him the title of TIME magazine’s Man of the Year, underscoring the center’s profound contribution to the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
The New Victory Theater – Originally built in 1900 as The Republic, the first performing arts venue on 42nd Street, the theater was transformed into The New Victory in 1995, becoming New York’s first theater for children and families. The renovation uncovered and restored original architectural elements, added a new lobby carved from the existing structure and bedrock, rebuilt the historic staircase, and created space for much-needed restrooms. A rear wing was added for backstage access, dressing rooms, workshops, and a loading dock, while new elevators and rooftop HVAC systems were integrated to meet modern needs of the historic theater.
We’re turning 50! As we count down to Sciame’s 50th anniversary on June 13th, we’re celebrating the moments that shaped us. For the next 50 days, we’ll be sharing one standout project a day in our “Countdown to 50”.
Thank you to our amazing clients, team, and friends! We wouldn’t be here without you.
