Within the public-facing spaces, interventions focused on improving visitor experience and making sure all visitors feel welcome. Starting at the entry, we designed a new sculptural coat check desk that seamlessly greets visitors as they arrive and prompts intuitive cuing. Its angled nature encourages smooth circulation, preventing heavy traffic from congesting the lobby, while the shape and finish speaks to the nearby communicating stair to unify the entry lobby as a whole.

Additional seating has been added throughout the main atrium, second floor landing, and the galleries to give visitors space to relax and spend quality time in the museum during their visit.

To program comfortable and productive workspaces, STUDIOS worked with SFMOMA team members to understand their daily operations and work styles. We conducted collaborative design sessions to ensure we had a strong understanding of individual, department-wide, and museum-wide needs. The final layout included a mixture of private offices and communal amenities.

The existing first floor restaurant was converted to a more welcoming and energetic dining space, while taking advantage of the existing elements. The sculptural wooden cieling and murals served as the perfect backdrop and inspiration for the revitalized space. We opened up one of the kitchen walls to create an elegant bar that offers diners a peek into the kitchen beyond. Red statement tile and a playful terrazzo top are complimented by sleek black bar stools, recalling the look and feel of an elegant hotel lobby bar. The bright colors and natural materials imbue the space with warmth, serving as a beacon of welcome from the street that draws in passersby. Varied arrangements of tables recall a corner cafe, inviting guests to wander in for a light bite or linger for longer conversations.

SFMOMA continues to be one of the world’s most prolific institutions dedicated to modern art. These latest interventions allow it to continue to provide a welcoming, inclusive experience for all visitors.