The Restoration
In the early 1990’s Donald Judd sought the advice of engineers and architects to address 101 Spring Street’s failing façade, though at that time the restoration proved too costly for him to realize. Following the transfer or ownership from the artist’s estate to Judd Foundation, a master plan was commissioned in 2001 with funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Artists Homes and Studios program. Since that time, Judd Foundation has brought together a team of specialists in the fields of design and preservation of buildings that house art collections. A plan was developed and completed in 2008 that both protects the art and respects the original design and fabric of the building, the only single use cast iron building left in SoHo today. Extensive renovations are underway and will be completed late in 2012. The building will open to the public early in 2013.
State-of-the-art environmental controls, fire safety systems and innovative installation techniques will eliminate the need for invasive construction. Works of art and furniture will be cleaned and treated, as necessary, to ensure their long-term preservation. 101 Spring Street will transition from a private residence to a place that can be experienced by the public. Once restored, all who visit the building will be able to engage in a direct way with the installed pieces and work themselves.
Restoration of 101 Spring Street, the home and studio of artist Donald Judd, is being supported in part by a grant from Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Project Team for Restoration of 101 Spring Street
Project Architect Architecture Research Office
Cast Iron Specialists Walter B. Melvin Architects (Robert Bates)
Structural Engineer Robert Silman & Associates (Ben Rosenberg)
Construction Manager Frank J. Sciame
Building Systems Arup Fire
Owner's Representative Levien & Company
Legal Counsel Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Judd Foundation Buildings Committee: Robert C. Beyer, Judd Foundation Board Member; Flavin Judd, Judd Foundation Vice President; Guy Nordenson, Guy JP Nordenson & Associates.Art Conservation Steven Weintraub, Art Conservation Services
Judd Foundation Advisory Committee for Conservation & Restoration: Dudley Del Balso, Judd Foundation Board member; Bettina Landgrebe, Conservator, The Chinati Foundation, Marfa; Eleonora Nagy, Conservator, Modern Art Conservation, New York; Derek Pullen, Conservator, London.