Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all New York City places

New York City, New York / Museums

Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

A stunning architectural addition to the American Museum of Natural History, this center blends experiential design with scientific discovery through its insectarium, butterfly vivarium, and soaring, light-filled public spaces.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
Ingfbruno, CC BY-SA 3.0

What is the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation?

It is the newest addition to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The 230,000-square-foot center is designed to expand public science understanding and make science education more accessible through experiential architecture.

What is it known for?

The center is known for its striking architecture—featuring steel, glass, and shotcrete—and unique experiences such as a butterfly vivarium and an insectarium.

How do I get into the Gilder Center?

Visitors can enter through a new, accessible entrance located on Columbus Avenue, which leads to a central five-story atrium.

What is the layout of the building?

The addition consists of six floors above ground and one floor below. It creates more than 30 connections among 10 of the museum's buildings to improve visitor circulation across the four-block campus.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation is the newest addition to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Designed by Studio Gang, this cultural and educational hub comprises 230,000 square feet of new construction and renovation. The facility officially opened on May 4, 2023, and immediately became a major draw, attracting 1.5 million visitors within its first three months of operation. The architecture is a marvel of modern engineering, utilizing steel, glass, and artfully shaped shotcrete to create soaring, light-filled environments. The structure consists of six floors above ground and one floor below, featuring a central five-story atrium. This atrium serves as a focal point that connects the center to the rest of the museum complex, embodying the interconnectedness of life through its organic design. Beyond its visual impact, the center significantly improves the museum's logistics by establishing more than 30 connections among 10 existing buildings. This integration creates continuous pathways across the four-block campus, linking structures built over nearly 150 years. By streamlining circulation, the Gilder Center makes the vast museum campus more navigable for all guests. Visitors can explore one-of-a-kind experiences, including a dedicated insectarium and a butterfly vivarium. These exhibition galleries are designed to amplify the intellectual impact of the museum, making science education more accessible through experiential architecture. The center combines exhibits, research, and educational facilities to reinforce the role of natural history collections in modern scientific discovery.

Visitor tips

  • Enter through the new accessible entrance on Columbus Avenue for the most direct access to the atrium.
  • Allow at least two hours to explore the galleries, including the insectarium and butterfly vivarium.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the center creates extensive new pathways across the four-block campus.

Nearby context

The Gilder Center is integrated into the American Museum of Natural History's four-block campus, serving as a modern bridge that connects historic buildings constructed over the last 150 years.

Sources

Evidence and links