San Francisco MoMA extension by Snøhetta.

Images: Snøhetta.

The long awaited extension to San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art has finally commenced. When completed in 2016, it will see the exhibition space more than double, and will provide seven floors of accommodation that includes better educational facilities as well as improved space for large-scale works.

The new building designed by the Norwegian architect Snøhetta is quite a contrast to the existing Post Modern building designed by Mario Botta.

One of the aims of the extension is to better bind the museum into the local neighbourhood both by way of more extensive educational and workshop facilities, which will enable better participation by local schools, but also at an urban design / architectural level.

One feature resulting from this initiative is the outdoor sculpture terrace whilst another is one of the largest vertical gardens ever created. It will consist of plants native to the San Francisco area. There will also be a seventh floor terrace with an impressive view of the city.