Engineering an Imagination

At the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, new educational and retail spaces expand access and engagement while honoring the building’s architectural legacy.

George Gustav Heye Center

New York, NY

Located at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan, the George Gustav Heye Center is the original home of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Housed within the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, the museum faced challenges in expanding its reach and programming due to perceived historic preservation limitations.

To support NMAI’s evolving mission, EwingCole led a comprehensive master plan to reimagine the space for modern use while respecting the building’s architectural legacy. As part of this vision, the firm delivered complete architecture and engineering services for the new ImagiNATIONS Activity Center. This STEM-based educational space highlights scientific and technological innovations rooted in Native American cultures. Working closely with museum staff, EwingCole designed flexible systems and infrastructure to support changing programming needs while enhancing visitor engagement.

Client National Museum of the American Indian – The Smithsonian Institution

Size 20,000 SF

Categories Cultural

Completion Date 2015

Restored intricate historic features, such as original oak doors, bronze screens, marble wainscoting, and crown molding.

In addition, the team renovated the Museum Store, restoring intricate historic features, such as original oak doors, bronze screens, marble wainscoting, and crown molding, while discreetly integrating modern lighting, point-of-sale infrastructure, and merchandising elements within the space’s preserved teller windows.

This transformation preserves the past while making space for discovery, ensuring that NMAI continues to educate and inspire future generations in a culturally respectful and architecturally stunning environment.