The new US$63m (£30.7m, 43m euro) Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian Institute in New York, US, opened to the public on Sunday 18 September.

The 28,000sq ft (2,601sq m) inner courtyard is enclosed within the museum’s Greek Revival building, built between 1836 and 1868, which houses the recently renovated Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture.

Encompassing two 32-ft high ficus trees and 16 black olive trees, a variety of shrubs and ferns, a water feature and a café, the new glass-canopied zone provides a public meeting space and a venue for performances, lectures and special events hosted by the Smithsonian.

It has been named after Washington-based art collectors Robert and Arlene Kogod, who provided US$25m (£12.1m, 17m euro) towards its construction, complementing a further US$38m (£18.5m, 25.9m euro) gifted from private donors.

London-based architects Foster + Partners created the masterplan, alongside landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson of Seattle-based Gustafson Guthrie Nichol.

Cristián Samper, acting secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said: “This courtyard will enable the Smithsonian to expand its services to all visitors by creating a uniquely beautiful location for exciting events, special programs and quiet contemplation.”

“Floating above the courtyard, the canopy catches the light, creating a new heart at the centre of this landmark,” added architect Norman Foster.

In addition, the new and permanent America by Air gallery has opened at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

It showcases artefacts, photographs, artwork and interactive displays on the development and future of air travel.

The exhibit is divided into four thematic sections: Early Years of Air Transportation, 1914-1927; Airline Expansion and Innovation, 1927-1941; the Heyday of Propeller Airliners, 1941-1958, and the Jet Age, 1958-present.

Visitors can walk across a 30-ft high pedestrian bridge to view the cockpit of a Northwest Boeing 747. A further seven airplanes from the early years of aviation are also on display.

Photograph: courtesy of David S. Holloway