Museum of Figurative Art
IBD Studio: The Emerging Figure
Instructors: Kristen Smith, Ryan Keerns Partner: Priscilla Ng Fall 2015 |
Project Description
The site is located in the Presidio, between the new Presidio Parklands Project and Crissy Field. While the Parklands Project provides the first step in improved pedestrian connection between the Presidio and Crissy Field by bridging the two via a series of landscapes over the highway tunnel, we believe that this connection can be improved. Our site sits at the critical junction between the new Parklands and Crissy Field’s West Lawn. Continuing a pedestrian connection between these two landscapes was a top priority for our project.
As a connection, the site must be intriguing and spark the interest of the visitors. To do this, we designed the museum as a village. When seen from a distance, parts of the village peeks through the landscape. Upon closer inspection, it is revealed that there is a network of routes and nodes; the complexity of a village. The five aspects of a village that we have focused on are: 1. architecture as part of the landscape, 2. buildings of similar proportions, 3. integration between interior and exterior, 4. changes of scale as one approaches and enters, 5. freedom to choose from multiple routes.
As a connection, the site must be intriguing and spark the interest of the visitors. To do this, we designed the museum as a village. When seen from a distance, parts of the village peeks through the landscape. Upon closer inspection, it is revealed that there is a network of routes and nodes; the complexity of a village. The five aspects of a village that we have focused on are: 1. architecture as part of the landscape, 2. buildings of similar proportions, 3. integration between interior and exterior, 4. changes of scale as one approaches and enters, 5. freedom to choose from multiple routes.
1. Art Gallery 2. Presidio Museum 3. Corridor
The project is separated into two paths: museum below and landscape above. The museum program is located, for the most part, at the existing grade level. The museum roof then serves as an extension of the park landscape drawing visitors from the Presidio Parklands across to West Crissy Lawn and vice-versa. The level separation keeps the two paths physically apart, but there are visual connections between them. The museum emerges through the landscape in the form of the glass enclosure, allowing for views in, and the landscape peels back to reveal a view out. The interaction between the visitors on the exterior and those in the interior pulls their separated path back together.
Axonometric Drawing
Each of the five gallery nodes has been carefully scaled and located to respond to the art housed within. The art of the Bay Area Figurative Art Movement and the views from the site relate to one another. The corridors that connect the galleries are strategically angled towards certain views, which foreshadows the art inside the following art gallery, either landscape or figure paintings. Inside the art gallery, the art is also curated by the distance viewed. The larger painting are placed further from the path of travel, and the smaller paintings closer. Adjacent to the art galleries are the glass galleries. The history and information about Presidio are displayed here, giving more insight between the connection of the art and the site.
Ground Floor Plan
Each of the three interior spaces (art gallery, glass gallery and corridor) has it's own lighting strategy that highlights the different experiences of each space. The art galleries are naturally lit by extruded skylights with artificial lighting as secondary. The glass galleries are naturally lit by the fritted glass above and artificial lights embedded along the walls at the ground. The corridors are naturally lit by the large window at the end and a clerestory washing light down the walls; recessed artificial linear lights are embedded in the floor below.
RCP Plan, Enlarged Section, Wall Section Details
Sections