The Petrie European Sculpture Court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is a refreshing urban oasis.
The Met is packed with treasures. To preserve them, many of its galleries are dark and tomb-like. The Petrie Court is a rejuvenating haven in the midst of all that “earnestness.”
The Court is filled with natural light; its transparent roof and window wall make being inside very much like being outside, without the precipitation and temperature extremes. Research has shown, as discussed in this article, that being in spaces that are naturally lit does all sorts of good things for us psychologically, from boosting our mental performance and mood to reducing our blood pressure. Being in day lit spaces also helps us keep our circadian rhythms aligned with wherever we are on the planet, which keeps our stress levels in check. Natural light is great for our psychological wellbeing.
The sunlight that makes its way to the floor of the Court creates an organic dark/bright pattern on its tiles; humans are very comfortable in areas with dappled light.
The windows letting in the natural light also supply a view of nature. Seeing nature is psychologically restorative, as discussed in this article. Cognitive restoration is just what museum visitors need after spending time absorbing information from exhibits.
The curved design elements present balance the number of rectilinear ones in place and make being in the Court an even more pleasant experience.
Finally, the Petrie European Sculpture Court is an agreeable blend of the familiar and the unexpected—just the sort of place where humans like to spend their time, as this article details.