McGill University

Winter 2015

Project in collaboration with: Rui Ning Wen

Professor Martin Bressani + Aaron Sprecher

 

The driving inspiration for this proposal are the urban blocks of the city of Helsinki. In the downtown core of Helsinki, shops and retail space are dominant on the ground level, whereas the second and third floors were for residential use. Courtyards are a prominent feature of the urban block, and access to these interior courtyards are plenty.

 

The museum is constructed of three types of glass: transparent, translucent, and mirrored glass.  Holding together the different types of glass are steel mullions and an extensive steel exoskeleton that wraps around the entirety of the building providing lateral and structural support.

 

Mimicking the urban blocks of Helsinki, this museum has three floors. The ground, second, and third floors are used as exhibition space and other museum program space. The top floor is designed for local artists as residential and studio space. This museum can be called a “24-hour” museum since it would seem like it never closed: the inner courtyard of the museum is lined with mirrored glass and is lit at night to portray the same effect as shop windows on the street. This museum is designed to be playful, yet intriguing to passersby.