Let’s just say it wasn’t your typical Thursday morning. We had a chance to visit Richard Meier & Partners headquarters on 10th Avenue and get the scoop on the firm’s dedication to old-school model building, evidence of which is tucked into every spare corner of Meier’s office. The overflow, 300 or so maquettes, are housed in the Richard Meier Model Museum, a 3,600 square feet industrial studio located in Long Island City one block behind the Pepsi-Cola sign on the East River.

First opened to the public in 2007, the space is chockablock with models, including every imaginable configuration of the Getty Center, the 110-acre arts compound in Los Angeles. (Fun facts: most of the Getty’s neighbors opposed its construction; during the building phase, Meier lived near the site with his children who used it as their personal playground.)

Images of the starchitect and his miniature buildings after the jump; for a full photo set, visit our Facebook page.

Our exclusive shots from a tour at the Richard Meier Model Museum, open on Friday starting today, by appointment only (call 212.967.6060 to reserve a space).

Richard Meier’s Getty Center — which occupies most of the floor space dedicated to exhibiting architectural models in the museum — was conceived in 1984 and opened in 1997.

Topography of the Getty Center cite in California; the group of buildings are situated right on a faultline.

This laser-cut sheet shows the leaf cutting pattern patented by Michael Gruber, now nicknamed “Mr. Tree.” Each tree takes the model builders about 15 minutes to assemble.

The giant model stations were constructed by Mr. Gruber using no fasteners or joints, only glue.

This crudely-rendered one-off was modeled by Mr. Meier himself, who gives full credit for the maquettes to his merry band of model-makers.

by Kelsey Keith

posted in General

tagged Architectural Model, Exclusive, field trip, richard meier, Studio Visit

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