Whitney Independent Study Program

New York, NY

The Whitney Museum of American Art (WMAA) was gifted the studio and residence of the late Roy Lichtenstein on Washington Street and decided to renovate this historic artist’s studio, and former metalworking building, to house the Whitney’s prestigious Independent Study Program (ISP). Its proximity to the museum building, its illustrious history, and its location in a neighborhood rich with other artist residences make this building the ideal home for the ISP, which since 1968 has moved around to various rented spaces in downtown New York. The renovated building includes flexible artist studios, offices and a seminar space on the ground floor, further study space, meeting space and a kitchen on the 2nd floor and an artist/scholar-in-residence apartment on the 3rd floor. The project also required an expansion of the 3rd floor to add more studio space for the ISP and living space for the residence. The mission of the project was to retain the character of the architecture and animating spirit of the studio while adapting the building to the needs of the ISP.

The project is made possible thanks to an extraordinary act of generosity by president of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, Dorothy Lichtenstein.

    • Full project management starting with the selection of architect and subconsultant team.

    • Led team through selection of Construction Manager and negotiated contract terms.

    • Assist WMAA with making design decisions with respect to programmatic, operational and cost considerations. 

    • Liaise access and coordination with neighboring properties.

    • Building’s location in a Landmarked district required full review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the local community board.

    • Liaise with WMAA’s various departments to coordinate the needs of the institution for this new facility.

    • Expedited construction schedule to ensure the completion for Roy Lichtenstein’s 100th birthday.

    • Owner - Whitney Museum of American Art

    • Architect - Johnston Marklee

    • Builder - Riverside Builders

    • Photography - Max Touhey, Filip Wolak

“This is the most wonderful way to celebrate Roy’s legacy… I am so pleased with the sensitive way the architects designed this space, which is so important to me, and was so important to Roy. It was his favorite studio, and I know he would be very happy.”

Dorothy Lichtenstein
President, Roy Lichtenstein Foundation

A New Home at Roy Lichtenstein Studio (Video)

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