The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum is housed in the former residence of Andrew Carnegie, a National Historic Landmark. The campus also includes two historic townhouses on East 90th Street and the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden.

The renovation expanded exhibition space by 7,000 square feet by converting the third floor of the Carnegie Mansion, currently the library, to new contemporary galleries, and moving the library to two adjacent townhouses and improving gallery spaces and infrastructure at the Mansion and townhouses. The Carnegie Mansion project also includes new freight elevators, new registrar offices, and new art conservation labs. Important public spaces such as the main stair accessing the gallery floors and restrooms were renovated and expanded to enhance the visitor experience.

EW Howell Construction Group aimed to preserve the historical structure and maintain the quality and character of the 1902 building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The most important aspect of the project was to maintain the existing ceiling while installing new lighting, sprinkler systems, power and art hanging systems. Another challenge was the restoration of the original “Teak Room,” which entailed the restoration of heavily stained wallpaper, gold leaf painting and ceiling. The renovation expanded the exhibition space by 7,000 square feet by converting the third-floor library to the new contemporary galleries.

Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle and Gluckman Mayner Architects, the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum/Carnegie Mansion project was recognized by Engineering News-Records’ 2014 Best Regional Projects, receiving the Award of Merit for Cultural/Worship Project. It also received the 2015 Jeffrey J. Zogg Build New York Award.