MFA's West Wing

The West Wing of the Museum of Fine Arts, located at 465 Huntington Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts is a prime example of a contemporary museum. The West Wing is one of the newest additions to the museum. Architect I.M. Pei, known for his modernist designs and use of natural light, designed the eight thousand square foot West Wing.

Art galleries, dinning areas, and retail shops are located in the West Wing. The overall style of these spaces is modern architecture with simple lines and a lot of open space. When you enter the West Wing you feel very small as a result of its design. With high windowed ceilings, it almost seems as though there is no roof at all, as natural light pours into the space. The majority of the walls are gray concrete. The neutrality of the walls emphasizes the displayed art. The carpeted floor is a neutral grayish brown, drawing no attention from the exhibits. The artwork is dominant as a result of the neutrality of the space, which emphasizes its importance.

The West Wing is of linear organization, with long halls that appear narrow as a result of the high ceilings. In the first floor are the lobby, bookstore and shop, bathrooms, the box office, the Galleria Café, the Remis Auditorium, the Cohen Galleria, the Foster Gallery, and the Riley Seminar Room. The majority of these galleries house temporary art pieces and are constantly changing the exhibits. The first floor hall and café area are composed of limestone tile flooring, acoustical ceilings, and recessed lighting.