The scope of Piano's work will involve the creation of new galleries, educational and public spaces within the existing Whitney properties as well as the improvement of the visitor experience. The Whitney's current buildings include the Marcel Breuer building, four storefront brownstone buildings on Madison Avenue and two townhouse office buildings on East 74th Street.

Also part of the expansion will be increased space for educational programs, including the creation of its first dedicated auditorium and a study center for works on paper. The project will also enable the Museum to consolidate its staff. In recent years, the Museum's collection has grown to more than 14,000 works of art and the limited gallery space has also inhibited a special exhibition program that in the past five had 18 exhibitions traveling to 46 museums in 35 cities.

Whitney officials conducted a six-month-long search process which started with more than 50 firms. That was whittled down to 12 who made presentations. Whitney director Adam D. Weinberg and the Architect Selection Committee of the Board of Trustees, headed by Melva Bucksbaum, worked with Reed Kroloff, newly appointed dean of the Tulane University School of Architecture. The committee also toured the many of the firms' built work.