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Museum of Chinese in America
The Museum of Chinese in America (“MoCA”) is a museum dedicated to reclaiming, preserving, and interpreting the history and culture of Chinese and their descendants in the Western Hemisphere. MoCA has outgrown its current facility on the second floor of an unrenovated City-owned building in the heart of Manhattan’s historic Chinatown and is in the process of developing their new leased space designed by renowned architect Maya Lin. The new space occupies two full floors in a turn-of-the-century loft building. The ground floor, with access from both Centre and Lafayette Streets, will house the Core Exhibition, which tells the history of Chinese in the United States through a technically-advanced, interactive display.
Beckelman+Capalino worked closely with the designer Maya Lin and the architects Bialosky+Partners as they completed the gut renovation of a former machine repair facility, converting it into a 14,000 square foot 2-level facility that includes multiple exhibition galleries, interactive displays, a multi-purpose auditorium/classroom, research center, and a flexible space for various multidisciplinary public programs. The new Museum occupies two full floors in a turn-of-the-century loft building located at 211 Centre Street in lower Manhattan.
As project manager Beckelman+Capalino established the methodology and process of construction for the facility, created Requests for Proposals for multiple contractors, managed the construction process and coordinated the installation of permanent exhibitions designed by Matter Architecture Practice/MGMT Design.
Initial funding for the project came from the September 11th Fund, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and significant private donations. Beckelman+Capalino guided MOCA through a funding request process with the City of New York that resulted in additional significant public funding from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and bridge financing loans from Seedco.
Significant regulatory requirements were in place, including detailed applications and initial reporting, and monthly reporting throughout project completion. This included inspections by multiple agencies and lenders on a continuing basis. Each agency that provided funding had varied regulatory requirements that were always fully met on time.
The success of the project was measured in completion and opening of the new facility, as well as its overwhelming popularity with visitors and organizations looking to utilize the facility for programming.
Museum magazine - July/August 2008
Between Art and Architecture: The Memory Works of Maya Lin