The expansion will feature natural daylight using a sophisticated light-metering system. Diffused skylights provide a majority of the lighting required to view the art. Electric track lighting is programmed to complement and spotlight the art by adjusting to changes in exterior natural light levels. Photocells located on the roof of the building work with the electric track lighting controls to blend the daylight and electric light levels in order to optimize energy consumption during all hours of operation.

Contemporary gallery façade will be made of aluminum, with perpendicular blades of ultra-thin specialty glass. Windows and skylights that punctuate the façade will be double glazed insulated glass uses high performance low-E (low emissivity) coating to minimize heat gain. An additional UV filtering coating of the glass further protects the art from damaging ultraviolet rays.

“For us, learning the way light and glass work together has been truly rewarding. Glass is performance art…from its fluidity to the way it scatters light in space. We are making spaces to put people in touch with the magic of glass,” Phifer said.

The climate controlled environment controls interior temperature and humidity while carefully eliminating dust and other polluting agents from the museum environment. Included in the expansion will be a 26,000 square feet of gallery space. This is the largest space anywhere dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art in glass.