Due to the museum success, the possibility to expand was considered to offer the public new alternatives. These alternatives included: a temporary exhibition’s showroom, a cafeteria, and a gift shop. This expansion had to be in the surroundings of the museum, therefore in the realm of Vidriera Monterrey.

A few meters away from the Glass Museum, a former flat glass finished product warehouse was located. This area was rebuilt and restored by the architect Hector Dominguez, while taking in consideration its original style. Filed photographs were used to determine the criteria for the restoration and the material selection of the new gallery. In the remodeling, contemporary and original solutions were combined.

Gallery front façade.

The industrial needs of the building are very different to those of a museum. Some adjustments were made and some radical changes took place to repair damaged areas while trying to avoid changing the original style. Such was the case of the ceiling, which had to be completely replaced. In addition, the cement floor was changed since it was practically destroyed. It took two years to rescue and restore the building, task that was concluded on May, 1997.

One of the attractions of the new gallery is that of combing its industrial origins with contemporary art. This blend is achieved by keeping the old furnaces of the original building as part of its architecture. The access to the gallery is in fact through one of the furnaces. The iron beams that support the mezzanine were architectural elements rescued as decorative and utilitarian elements. All these industrial traces have a strong impact on the visitor while providing a cultural environment.