The museum and its galleries remain open during the restoration.

Throughout 2006, visitors to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum will pass under scaffolding made necessary by a major restoration of the building’s famed exterior. Although much admired, the innovative concrete structure, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, has been plagued by surface cracks almost since it opened in 1959.

In 2005, some 12 layers of paint applied over the past 46 years were removed and the building’s concrete surface has been revealed, allowing for close analysis of the building’s surface. Detailed monitoring of the movement of selected cracks over an entire year, laser surveys, and other studies will be used by the restoration team to formulate an appropriate methodology to repair the cracks and ensure the building’s long-term health. Scaffolding will remain in place through spring 2008. The museum is expected to remain open throughout the restoration process.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and its representative, Paratus Group, have retained an extraordinary team, including the leading experts in their fields, to plan and implement the restoration:

Preservation Architect: Wank Adams Slavin Associates, LLP
Structural Engineer: Robert Silman Associates, PC
Mechanical Engineer: Atkinson Koven Feinberg Engineers, LLP
Construction Manager: F.J. Sciame Construction Company
Architectural Conservator: Integrated Conservation Resources
Consultant on Thermal and Moisture Migration: William B. Rose & Associate

The restoration of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is made possible through the generous support of Peter B. Lewis, the Board of Trustees of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, and the City of New York under the auspices of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the City Council, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional support has been provided by the State of New York and MAPEI Corporation.

Visit the Guggenheim Podcasts page to download an audio file about the exterior restoration

Broadband users can watch a presentation about the exterior restoration:

Mac Users: View with QuickTime

QuickTime Broadband Streaming

(Download QuickTime, version 6 or higher is required: http://www.apple.com/quicktime)

Windows Users: View with WindowsMedia Player

WindowsMedia Broadband Streaming

(Download Windows Media Player, version 9 or higher required: http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/MediaPlayer/)