Architect Breaks Down The Design Of 4 Iconic NYC Museums | Architectural Digest

From the epic halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim, New York City is home to some of the most famous museums in the world, each one looking completely different from the next. Today Michael Wyetzner of Michielli + Wyetzner Architects returns to AD for an in-depth look at how the iconic museums and art galleries of NYC developed their unique designs and became some of the city’s best landmarks.
Director: Hiatt Woods
Director of Photography: Charlie Jordan
Editor: Alex Mechanik
Host: Michael Wyetzner
Producer: Skylar Economy
Field Producer: Alyssa Marino
Associate Producer: Chloe Leung ; Landrie Hatcher
Production Manager: Melissa Heber
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Cloud Corredor
Audio Engineer: Gabe Quiroga
Production Assistant: Patrick Sargent
Post Production Supervisor: Andrew Montague
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Christina Mankellow
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
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[@norwaytoday]

Could you do performing arts spaces like theatres? As a theatre professional and architecture enthusiast, it would be a great concept :)

[@allyh1326]

Great idea!

[@jenniferadams7582]

There is a video on this channel (not Wyetzner tho) breaking down Disney Concert Hall. I liked it.

[@laurenm.6579]

I would love to see a video breaking down other museums in NYC (Natural History Museum, 9/11 memorial, etc)!

[@2002yannick1]

YESSSSSS, part two is needed!

[@jjustj145]

Agreed! + a Part 3 & 4 ... And preferably with Wyetzner 🙏

[@chenalindelossantos967]

NMH!!!! now i wanna visit NY for these museums and central park!

[@francescadorwart1089]

The Cloisters! (It has such an interesting and unique history!)

[@catkajary4415]

@@jjustj145 Yes, 100% has to be Wyetner. I really think he needs his own KZbin channel already!

[@cave_hag]

I could watch this legend breaking down NYC architecture all day. Truly get excited seeing new ones pop up. Would love to see some on Boston's architecture too.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

I went to a Christmas concert in the Guggenheim once. Singers and musicians were spread out around the interior spiral, and the spectators filled in around them. Beautiful experience.

[@wingshad0w00982]

The met is ridiculous. I love it. I’ve been eight or nine times and even discounting changing exhibits I keep finding new things every time I go

[@Elitist20]

Many years ago I visited the Met twice - once briefly to get a sense of it, then a few days later I spent all day there!

[@RingoLoadagain]

I've probably been there 200 times and I still love it and could spend all day there.

[@mind-of-neo]

To be able to explore all of manhattan and all its massive museums would be such a dream come true for me

[@avsystem3142]

Based on my own experience you should probably plan on multiple visits to NYC to accomplish that goal.

[@franzm4945]

Did that during my 1-week trip to NYC and omg it’s still not enough 😂😂😂

[@dekexz19]

You’ll do it friend

[@Gertyutz]

WNYC, our local NPR station, has just counted 180 museums, although not all are as grand. Have fun!

[@nik257]

Absolutely love his passion for architecture!

[@seltzman]

We love this concept and Mr. Wyetzner. Please do continue and flood us with tihs content

[@rodrigoalvesvieira]

Always great when there's a new NYC architecture and hishory video by Mr. Wyetzner!

[@sixichen4587]

I love that all the essential materials and components are labeled in the video, much easier for non-architects to understand.

[@user-cn7of3je6w]

Fantastic review of some of the best buildings in NYC. Many thanks for the informative video. Mr. Wyetzner is a star.

[@christinaaruffo9534]

I would love to see a breakdown of different international airports

[@jumbo1701]

I love this video! Thanks AD! I loved the Met part- I visited recently and it was wildly interesting. I would LOVE to see a video on the cloisters- it was my favorite part of the entire Met system. Thank you AD and Mr. Wyetzner. :)

[@kendoll8447]

I absolutely LOVE your talks about architecture! Please keep them coming 👋

[@JStratfordFilms]

I love this guy, always so articulate and a great teacher

[@MrMoodylaren]

will, when i look at the Guggenheim museum i dont realy think about the art inside, i think about the Museum as a peace of art on itself.

[@kimberleestern8757]

This was fantastic! Please do this in Paris

[@Colin.Smith.Pianist]

The beauty of these buildings deserve their own deep dive video tbh

[@Geeman002]

I love your videos, I don’t know much about architecture but I do love the beautiful buildings, especially in NYC, and I love the way you teach me about them.

[@nicolefaubert8147]

The Frick Madison is one of my favorite, I would really like to hear You talk about it. Love your passion.Merci

[@kennethbarber438]

Frick's collection is temporarily in the Breuer building. He just talked about it.

[@steini6771]

Another fab video Sir. Thank you and all others involved in making these outstanding vids.

[@TimothyRobert93]

Brilliant video as always. Loved this, and made me desire to move to NYC even more.

[@jeffreyonemu1426]

Alright! NYC content, I'm in.

[@susanbaker2796]

Agreed!!

[@avsystem3142]

Although I'm a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's design originality (his engineering skills not so much) I've been to the Guggenheim, as well as several other NYC museums. In my opinion the Guggenheim is a very inefficient use of space in which to display art. The museum is sculpture but the actual amount of usable space in which to display art is low compared to it's footprint. And, as mentioned, not even a particularly great display environment for the art it can accommodate.

[@stevenjlovelace]

Agreed! It's cool, but not the best museum experience.

[@vincentgoupil180]

Flat paintings to be hung on a curved wall, what was Frankie smoking ? :)

[@randyastle3301]

Check out Waldemar Januszczak’s BBC documentary series on American art. He spends a long time on theosophy and the philosophical concepts behind the Guggenheim’s design, eg why Lloyd Wright did it the way he did (not to show art!).

[@vincentgoupil180]

@@randyastle3301 Watched Waldemar's talk on Frank L. Wright and the Guggenheim. Appears the architect and the artists were more or less on the same page through Wright may have been interested in Rosicrucianism. So, form followed function, no conflict between the two.

[@AlexanderORiordan]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@hollywalters318]

Thanks so much for your videos!

[@gaborjurina2839]

Love this channel, I learn something new every time. I would love to see you review the AGO and the ROM, both great buildings with additions by visionary contemporary architects.

[@catkajary4415]

Do you mean the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto?

[@j.mieses8139]

This was very well explained. Thank you!

[@tarynstroop8740]

I love all the architecture tours in NYC! More please!!!

[@rickkuny6591]

This is a brilliant and insightful commentary! Thank you for your time and energy, coming to New York!

[@michaelhockus8208]

fantastic! thanks for this great video. I love seeing the photographs of the park in its infancy.

[@samtron9765]

I'd love to see a breakdown of museums in Toronto, like the ROM and AGO.

[@learnenglishwithdayamudra704]

So interesting! I love your videos. I'd love a similar video about the museums of San Francisco.

[@Jim58223]

Do the ROM next please. Thanks.

[@Emthe30something]

Always love these

[@robcunningham8908]

Could you talk about the many libraries and concert halls that Carnegie created across the country? I once thought that there was only one Carnegie Music Hall - in NYC; however, now that I’m living in Pittsburgh, I know that there are at least two! And I’m told that there are more…

[@erldagerl9826]

This gentleman specializes in New York architecture.

[@ezydoesit993]

i could watch these videos every single day! thank you

[@MidoriAnca]

It would be amazing if you could explore other fascinating museum buildings like: National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Tate Modern and National Gallery in London, Mudam in Luxembourg or Hermitage in Saint Petersburg - if you want to do outside of New York also

[@erldagerl9826]

He’s a New York specialist. But I agree that would be interesting if they could get someone of his caliber.

[@mdhh7859]

I love these So interesting always ❤❤❤ Thank you 🙏

[@drubert1981]

I witnessed the expansion of the SF Moma as an art student. Would love an in depth explanation on how that was done.

[@scottwinn5043]

This was so cool!

[@user-sx9vc1dx7r]

Fantastic! Best buildings in NYC. Big thanks for the video

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

The Prado, the Louvre, and the Chicago Art Institute, please!

[@hpcolombia]

Field Museum. Science and Industry Museum

[@andrewwadage]

Thank you so much for this.

[@markr7083]

These type of videos are awesome!

[@Vikram_l]

I just cant wait for the next episode. They dont seem to be coming fast enough. But i do understand that quality takes time.

[@omanuelsa]

thank you so much for this video!

[@jesuispauvre4139]

I love those architecture video !!!

[@minneapaulis]

This was amazing! Broadway theaters next

[@triconcert]

Thanks for education and information!

[@PistachioDean]

Maybe a break down of Parisian or Tokyo museums? The Musée d’Orsay museum is in this beautiful beaux arts building that was originally a railway station. In Tokyo, the Tokyo National Museum or the Edo-Tokyo museums for instance.

[@LSTEdD1]

By the way - these videos are wonderful!!

[@NicholeGreenNicholeGreen]

I love this series

[@kowen1319]

this is amazing

[@vincentraxe]

Part 2 please!!!!

[@randyastle3301]

Second comment to say I love revisiting all the buildings you review to see them afresh and understand them better. AND id love to see a video about all the grounds and the buildings (greenhouses etc.) at the city’s botanical gardens or even the five zoos.

[@jeannesherwood4430]

Very interesting! I would love to learn more about the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin museum and especially the Barnes museum and it’s relocation!!!

[@edramirez1240]

I would like to see the Brooklyn Museum, the Asia Society, the NY Historical Society, the Museum of the City of NY, the Louis Armstrong Center, and the Bronx Museum of the Arts.

[@planecrashcorner7283]

More San Francisco content please!!

[@jacobbwalters8133]

Chicago Museums next?

[@miriamrenz9009]

The Tenement Museum would be really interesting! And the Cloisters!

[@ellenhageman7380]

Come to Los Angeles - LACMA under construction, the Getty off the 405 freeway and MOCA downtown.

[@fl7122]

Amazing video!

[@LSTEdD1]

As I am sure you know Hunt designed The Breakers in Newport as well.

[@timliddy1]

I love your videos. In this one, I especially like when you mention Frank Loyd Wright, when designing the Guggenheim, it was more about himself than it was the artwork. It would be really interesting to get your take on architects who build museums that favor their own aesthetic versus what is going into the building-the Art. Might you start with the Bilbao?

[@jeffpetrie7744]

How about the deYoung Museum in SF? I know that a ton of thought went into its design. 😎

[@jlasf]

The Herzog and De Meuron de Young is a disaster. The copper exterior was supposed to turn verdigris over the years. The intent was to blend into the foliage of Golden Gate Park...except it didn't. It remained copper with only small amounts of verdigris. So, it stands out intrusively. The main court is an ungainly waste of space. With bland strips of lighting and awkward flow, what should have been the heart of the building is, instead an empty doughnut hole. Contrast this with the sublime I. M. Pei design for the East Building of the National Gallery in Washington. I could go on. It's yet another missed opportunity in a city that has few buildings of architectural merit.

[@marques9392]

I love to see you breakdown the Cleveland museum of art

[@mayonaissse]

Visiting these museums (especially the Met) is a lifelong dream of mine.

[@sloanNYC]

The Met was my favorite place when I lived in NYC.

[@patriciacashman5553]

He’s wonderful!

[@marcellusdiocletian2487]

I've been to the met museum once and I really need to go back it is quite a lot to see

[@mariecochran527]

CHICAGO please ❤

[@plasmaboy2265]

Funny fact me and my friend went to nyc in April and we were watching the AD video of the subways in the snack room of the Guggenheim looking out towards Central Park

[@itstonycia]

I’ve spent years in nyc and never been to any museum. I’m away now but after this video I want to go!!!!

[@2WheelsGood]

Great video

[@MelodyProsser]

Please break down the Art Gallery of Ontario.

[@maximumgaming5o483]

I love the AGO!

[@Luanaferreiranyc]

Hello! I love this channel! Can you please do an episode on Guastavino?

[@vincentgoupil180]

hey Mikey, Granted you've pointed out the MOMA facade at 7:47 and the Met's blind windows please talk more about the *window* treatments between the 19th and 20th centuries using Guatam Shah's article "Comparing Windows of FLW, and LC Mies" (2013) on the blog 'Talk About Interior Design' as a reference point. For example, the Guggenheim's ribbon window is one long continuous spiral light to the sky.

[@Tru-Blu]

Maybe the Art Institute of Chicago?

[@lorinotarius]

Who was the original architect of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh? It looks very much like the Met and I'm wondering if it is the same architect since it was founded in 1895 around the same time as the 1902 Met opening.

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

This was amazing, as always. I love the Guggenheim, despite its drawbacks. But mostly, I love New York.

[@garricklp]

Brooklyn Museum and the Noguchi please!

[@iminacademia4428]

Mexico City's 1. Palacio de Bellas Artes, 2. Chapultepec Castle, 3. Franz Mayer Museum, and 4. Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia

[@oscarsalesgirl296]

Frumpy

[@Eli-cq8jq]

Play it Loud (Met - Oct 1, 2019). I shared the Central Park at The Official Sting. I like him.

[@johnnyfuentes1744]

I enjoyed your videos! Just a quick question what kind of marker or pen do you used in this video? I will like to get some of those! Thanks!!

[@vadniesidney4772]

Love these videos. I learn so much. It would be great to see The American Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian.

[@RafiqMohamad]

Would love to see the architectural breakdown of Berlin’s Museum Island. Especially Neues Museum.

[@ArtCultureTravel]

Incredible buildings! Thanks for the video. I'm torn though. I was feeling that nothing can beat Paris before I started ... However, it's clear. NYC gives it a worthy attempt for sure! Looking forward to return.

[@brihow24]

Please do a video on Broadway theaters!

[@Lochsley]

I'd love to hear an architectural breakdown of the Mona Museum in Hobart, Tasmania

[@stephenfaust8589]

Please come to Philadelphia! I would love to see a similar compare/contrast between the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Barnes Foundation museum.

[@authorless]

I really like the building the New Museum is in.

[@menaseven9093]

This is an awesome video about New York museums, New Yorkers like their art. I like the Metropolitain Museum, the museum of modern art and the Whitney museum..

[@ShutterBugMom19]

It would be nice to compare other museums on Museum Mile or AMNH including the new Gilder Center, which in itself has a unique design

[@whatever4065]

Great video, I could listen to Wyetzner talk about architecture for hours. Maybe he could do something on Berlin? The Museum Island with its different museums, Libeskind's Jewish Museum, such an amazing piece of didactic architecture!

[@Adversitiv]

Thanks

[@ekoller]

Would love to learn about the ferry terminals

[@katherineMontalto]

I'd love to know more about museums in other parts of the US and other parts of the world.

[@1Grussus]

break down the albright knox gallery in buffalo with the new addition

[@DwightHeinmuller]

Hi Mr. Wyetzner: Where can I find a copy of the photo showing the 1938 Packard and chauffeur in the center foreground with the McKim, Meade & White wings in the background? Thanks.