The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, is putting the final touches to its new wing before its grand opening on 20 March.

First announced in 2012, the US$64m (€60.2m, £42.9m) development – by Thomas Phifer and Partners – is made up of a 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m) glass structure, which will house its glass collection of contemporary art and design.

The architect’s design is a square, minimalist white glass building, designed to allow the glass galleries to be filled with daylight.

In addition, the development includes a new 500-seat glass making demonstration venue located in the renovated former Steuben Glass factory ventilator building, adjacent to the museum. The renovated space includes retractable banked seating and features a gallery-level balcony running around the perimeter of the venue that offers 360-degree views of the glassmaking below.

Dedicated to the art, history and science of glass, the original concept for the museum – which first opened in 1951 – was developed by Arthur A. Houghton Jr, chair of Steuben Glass, and his cousin, Ambassador Amory Houghton. Wallace K. Harrison of Harrison & Abramowitz designed the original museum, with subsequent additions beginning in 1980, including work by Gunnar Birkets and Smith-Miller + Hawkinson.