The design called for a building which was integrated with the park on the east and was visible from the highway on the west. It required an interior that provided room for an expanded permanent collection of art and culture, spacious temporary galleries, expanded educational and public events spaces, as well as a special branch of the Queens Borough Public Library.
Grimshaw’s design expands the building to fill the approximately 9754 sq m New York City Building, adding a range of new exhibit spaces complete with “back of house” facilities including art storage and exhibit preparation space. The expansion allows the Museum to expand their permanent collection, which now has adequate space for exhibitions. The museum also has a significant educational component, and its expansion comprises several new classrooms.