Parrish's Herzog & de Meuron Building Plans Face Economic Detours

Latest Design for Parrish Art Museum, View from Montauk Highway
© Herzog & de Meuron 2007

As a cost-cutting measure, the Parrish Art Museum in Southampton, NY, intends to opt for less expensive building materials (i.e., concrete floors, rather than wood) than initially planned for its new facility designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Construction estimates had risen to "close to $100 million," according to director Trudy Kramer, and had to be pared down to $55-60 million. The museum has raised about half the funds.

The Long Island museum today submitted a formal application to the Southampton Town Planning Board for a 62,974-square-foot facility, to be constructed in two phases. Phase One is composed of 42,274 square feet, including gallery space, classroom space, a 260-seat, flat floor auditorium, a central lobby (containing café and museum shop), staff offices, curatorial and general support spaces, and a partial basement. Phase Two provides an additional 20,700 square feet, including administrative and support spaces and an expanded gift shop and café.

Original plans called for a 79,000-square-foot facility. Kramer told me that a third phase of construction is planned to achieve that size. The phased construction is dictated by economic exigencies.

Herzog & de Meuron's design is conceived as a network of exhibition spaces, reminiscent of a colony of artists' studios. It will be located on a 14-acre site in the village of Water Mill.

Kramer, 65, having directed the Parrish for 26 years, intends to step down at the end of 2007: "They must hire someone who can plan for the future," she said.