Start-up Organizations

Planet Word

Planet Word

Planet Word is a new, start-up museum with a mission of inspiring a love of words and language. Developed by a former reading teacher and philanthropist, the idea for Planet Word is grounded in the belief that language and literacy are the keys to sustaining a vibrant democracy and society.

Planet Word initiated a major adaptive re-use project to convert the former historic Franklin School building in downtown Washington D.C. into a museum space. The program places a strong emphasis on experience-driven, interactive exhibits to create an immersive environment for museum visitors. The innovative project features nine permanent galleries, each with their own voice-activated experience; a standalone, puzzle-solving gallery; a voice-activated 22-foot-high Word Wall; and a 5,000-LED globe with word games.

Planet Word

Broadway Housing Communities

Broadway Housing Communities

Broadway Housing Communities (BHC) is a non-profit housing developer committed to providing housing for individuals and families in the greatest need. Their supportive housing model combines low-income housing with services designed to meet the needs of our tenants and enable them to live independently.

For their seventh project in New York City, BHC acquired an underutilized site on the northern boundary of Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood and launched plans to transform the property into a green model of urban community revitalization. Designed by David Adjaye, the Sugar Hill mixed-use development provides 124 units of affordable housing, an early childhood center, and a new cultural institution, the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling. The new, ground-up facility also includes commercial parking and office space, serving as BHC’s new administrative headquarters.

Broadway Housing Communities

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

The Gerry Foundation – a not-for-profit organization established to help stimulate economic activity and revitalization in Sullivan County, New York – developed the Bethel Woods complex. Located on the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel Woods aims to preserve the historic concert site as a vibrant, cultural destination dedicated to inspiring and educating individuals through the arts and humanities. The lush, 800-acre campus includes a pavilion stage amphitheater, indoor event gallery, museum, conservatory for arts and educational programming and parking facilities.

The Museum at Bethel Woods features a series of interactive exhibits and programs addressing the story of the social, political and cultural events of the 1960s, culminating with the Woodstock Festival. The 40,000 sf building is built using a variety of materials, including locally-quarried stone, copper and laminate wood, to reflect the rural character of the surrounding landscape. The project includes a main exhibit gallery, special exhibit gallery, 130-seat theater, classrooms, event space and museum shop.

Rubin Museum of Art

Rubin Museum of Art

The Rubin Museum of Art was conceived as a new institution by philanthropists Donald and Shelly Rubin. Dedicated to sharing the ideas, culture and art of the Himalayas, India and neighboring regions, the museum recently celebrated its ten year anniversary.

The Rubin Museum initiated a major adaptive re-use project to convert a Barney’s luxury department store into its new museum space. The project involved a full renovation of the building, integrating new mechanical, life safety and security systems. The design integrated some of the existing architectural features, including the restoration of a signature, Andrée Putman steel and marble central stair. The final program included museum-quality exhibit and photography galleries, a theater for multi-media events and performances, café and gift shop. The project involved securing approvals from the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals.

National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)

National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)

A new, start-up institution, the National Museum of Mathematics (“MoMath”) is the only museum dedicated to mathematics in the United States. Led by a group of dedicated math enthusiasts, the museum’s mission is to enhance public understanding and perception of mathematics.

Located within a historic building that overlooks Madison Square Park, the 20,000 square foot program includes a series of hands-on, interactive exhibits, a temporary exhibit gallery, flexible lecture hall, retail and administrative support spaces. The museum also created a number of public outreach programs, including their popular traveling exhibit, Math Midway, which is currently touring museums and schools across the country.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

9/11 Memorial & Museum

Situated within the archaeological site of the original World Trade Center towers, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum documents and presents the story of loss and recovery of September 11, 2001 and the 1993 bombing through a series of interactive multimedia displays, archives, narratives and collection of monumental and authentic artifacts.

Delivered as a public-private partnership, this museum is comprised of a significant exhibit program that displays over 1,000 artifacts. The project also features a theater, media and interactive components, and reflective space for victims’ families. The memorial exhibition is located in the footprint of the South Tower and commemorates the victims of the attacks. The historical exhibition is in the footprint of the North Tower that examines the day of the attacks, what preceded them and how the events of 9/11 continue to shape the world. The remaining artifacts, such as the Last Column and Survivor’s Stairs, are displayed in the interstitial spaces.