Gallery research

Upon elearning we were designing an art gallery I researched several galleries and museums that have appealed to me. 

The Alborg Art Gallery by Alvar Aalto in Alborg Denmark.

It has a nice play of light and unique distribution of natural light amongst the sculptural art and much more diffused somewhat dull light illuminating the painting display spaces.

I then looked at the National Finnish Contemporary Museum of Art in Helsinki or also kwon as Kiasma by Steven Holl Architects. This building utilises various different techniques to diffuse and disperse light to lower floor through the unique "intertwined" geometry of the building. The museum focuses on circulation through phenomenology and perception. See images.

I also examine the Melbourne art gallery which I had previously visited on a recent trip to Melbourne. It appeared to have a central "core"at which the masses would circulate around acting as a artistic centerpiece.

After examining some precedent studies I have identified certain areas at which i should be focussed on to create a unique gallery environment and workspace. The key components I believe an art gallery design needs to focus on is lighting i.e how do I get natural light diffused into the gallery space. Also utilising the circulation in a way to maximise viewing space as well as providing a unique experience for the viewer.

Also the use of voids and double height galleries could give a unique effect to displaying the art.

This was a roof design of a painting gallery in Spain, i found it whilst looking through GA document journals. It uses a diffuser on both walls and also incorporates artificial light form the same region so whether you are in the gallery at night or the day you receive the same amount of  illumination.

First Ideas and Concept Sketches

Circulation patterns/methods.


My first design concepts of the art gallery/ residence utilised the whole 80m site. programing the spaces so that the apartment or living spaces and living room are situated upstairs offering a much more secluded space of the artist to retreat back to.

Some rough roof concepts:

Narrative

The brief for this gallery, workspace and residence is to create a space suitable for young artist in his mid to late twenties to develop his abstract sculpture and broaden his painting and photography horizons. Including a secure, dynamic and efficient space to house his art in a place readily accessible to the public.

The art displayed in the gallery will be a combination of medium to large abstract sculptures and an inclusion of one painting gallery utilising a unique way of diffusing light and a double height photograph and painting gallery with walls washed with natural light.

Here are some of the sculptures similar to those displayed by the artist.

His wishes is to have a large open roofed courtyard large enough for 3-4 meter high sculptures, a residence away from the hustle and bustle of King Street, and most importantly a unique way to circulate around the building and to act as a centre piece of sculptural excellence.

Site 1

Located on King Street the Site for project 3 is in Sydney's Bohemian centre piece known as Newtown. It sits approximately 5 mins from Railway square slightly outside the centre of the city.  

Our site as seen here in the Google Earth Aerial  shot is currently a Franklins supermarket. The site is very long and quite narrow. It is approximately 80 meters long and 12.5 meters wide at the front. As it nears the park at the back the site narrows cutting in form the sides making it around 9.5 meters wide at the back.

On King Street

Here are some images taken by me upon our tutorial site visit.

 

The context of the site

Leading to the back of the site- taken from the car park.

Back of Site 

Rear of neighbor

Surrounding Cottages

The reasons for choosing site 1:

• Ability if need be to extend to 3 stories due to height of the context buildings.
• The length allows me to satisfy the brief.
• Its situation i.e. it is not on a busy intersection like site 3.
• The ability to create a link back to nature with the park around the back.
• Easy access for deliveries due to the lane-way around the back and a pre existing dock is located there.

By selecting this site i was able to utilise the length to my advantage by incorporating a dynamic asymmetrical circulation path throughout my galleries. 

PROJECT 3: ART GALLERY

The brief is to design an art gallery that is able to display "contemporary, experimental objects and Images, and efficiently running a gallery requires that a number of practical yet important, architectural problems to be dealt with (especially, light quality, gallery image, suitability of display areas, safety of the art works, commercial viability)"

King St. Newtown

Sectional model at 1:50

Arrangement of spaces.

Room for Reflection 

Inside the tunnel looking back into Room for Reflection

Final Poche Drawings at 1:50

Axonometric

Plan

Section