The Corning Museum of Glass has officially leveled up, transforming The Studio into the world’s most advanced epicenter for glass artistry. The mission was clear: scale a global icon within a tight footprint without compromising the high-heat, industrial soul of the facility.

Honoring a Modernist Legacy

This expansion pays deep homage to its prestigious roots. The original museum building was designed in the 1950s by Harrison and Abramovitz—the legendary architectural duo famous for the UN Headquarters in NYC.

In a masterclass of contextual design, our team sought to respect the original glass-block façade. By inserting the new program’s required openings strictly between the existing curtainwall bands, the design maintains the façade’s historic rhythm. This bridges the gap between the mid-century "Glass City" and the future of fabrication, ensuring the new 71,000 sq. ft. footprint feels like a natural evolution rather than an interruption.

Where Grit Meets Glamour

The expanded program creates a high-tech playground for the medium:

• A Casting Powerhouse: North America’s first large-scale kiln casting hub, featuring a 500-pound gravity-feed furnace and a 1,000-pound crane system.

• The Hybrid Lab: A space blending neon-making and 3D printing with traditional wood and metal shops.

• The Incubator: A two-year intensive designed to fuel the next generation of master makers.

Purpose-Driven Innovation

The architecture balances heavy-duty industrial needs with a sleek aesthetic that democratizes the craft. By doubling the Make Your Own Glass capacity, the project breaks down barriers for young creators. On the technical front, a high-performance heat-recovery system turns a high-energy program into a model of environmental efficiency. This is a collaborative ecosystem where history, diverse voices, and cutting-edge tech collide to redefine what’s possible in glass.