The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Founded in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, but the celebrations have taken place under lockdown, in circumstances very different from those originally planned.

The galleries are completely dark, while events, exhibitions and programmes designed to retrace the museum’s history and collections have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The artworks remain in place, covered and waiting for the day when they can once again reveal their magnificence to visitors. Like the museum’s artworks, our staircase stands empty, free from the constant flow of visitors who usually fill the Met every day.

Edilco Scale is proud to have created a staircase for one of the most famous museums in the world: the Met in New York.

This demonstrates how Italian design is highly appreciated abroad, thanks to our attention to detail and our contemporary, forward-thinking approach. In this case, our staircase, with its modern design, introduces a touch of innovation and contemporary style into a museum deeply rooted in American history.

The Met now houses thousands of works from around the world across three iconic New York locations: The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer and The Met Cloisters.

In 2009, the Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York decided to expand its exhibition space by creating a large new pavilion, seamlessly integrated into the original structure.

On the southern side, the new area would incorporate the original nineteenth-century façade, which still serves as an alternative entrance to the main one.

Edilco Scale was thus given the privilege of designing and building a grand staircase connecting the mezzanine to the building’s first floor, which leads to the dining area, where visitors can enjoy a meal, relax or connect to the internet.

Features of the Edilco Staircase

We built the staircase’s supporting structure using high-quality special steel, creating a very robust yet lightweight structure. 

The steps and the staircase balustrade were made from laminated tempered glass. To complete the structure and ensure safety, we also installed a steel handrail.

For this prestigious project, alongside the attention devoted to the staircase’s design, it was essential to ensure that the design complied with strict US building regulations.

As we look back on the design of this magnificent staircase, we would like to wish the Metropolitan Museum of Art a happy birthday. Despite the extraordinary circumstances, the museum marked its 150th anniversary by reinventing the celebrations online and inviting audiences from all over the world to take part.

The museum had planned a special exhibition, “Making The Met 1870–2020”, to tell its story through some of its most iconic objects, showcasing 250 works that illustrate an adventure spanning a century and a half. One of the first paintings acquired by the museum, particularly significant in light of Covid-19, is Saint Rosalie, painted by Antoon van Dyck in Palermo during a plague quarantine, in the hope that the saint would protect the city.

This is a powerful reminder of how art can offer comfort and inspiration, even in the most difficult circumstances.

New York’s ambition and pioneering spirit made all this possible 150 years ago, driven by the desire to bring art to the American people. It is therefore fitting that one of our staircases should be part of this iconic landmark in the Big Apple!

If you would like to find out more, contact us!

We would be delighted to design a spectacular staircase for you or assist you with your project!