Situated between a historic museum building, an existing city park, and a subterranean Metro station, this proposal for a new contemporary art wing frames and intensify the urban density rather than occupying it. The entire museum program is put below ground; the above grade building remains empty, save for entrances and a cafe. While the new building provides shade and cover for a new urban plaza, the existing landmark museum building is preserved to view. The roof planes are lifted unexpectedly high in order to maximize diffused daylight to the levels of gallery deep below.