Viking Museum
The first idea: ADDITION AND CONTINUITY The current museum is contained in a large building that deserves to be respected and considered. Therefore, the extension of the new Viking museum is added to the existing building and look for continuity (formal, spatial and conceptual). We are not the protagonists. The old museum, the ships, the pieces are the ones.
The Second one: ROUTE; OPEN and CONTINOUS The building comes as a natural addition to the existing museum. We see the expansion as an organic and logical growth. The initial grid, unfinished, is taken up and reinterpreted. The logic of the courtyards, buildings and enclosures is maintained. This growth in grid that contains the patio and shade (with different orientations) creates a journey with different spatial qualities: linear or sequential, free or continuous, open or closed. Two different layers of museum are proposed. The main layer corresponds to the lower floor, the absolute extension of the museum; where the masterpieces are exposed. The second one is an upper layer, open and closed, continuous and discontinuous, museum and path, gazebo and stay, which surrounds and clothes the layer below, an alternative route. It’s in the galleries where the minor pieces are exposed.
LEVELS AND LAYERS
The third one: AUSTERITY, FUNCTIONALITY AND RATIONALITY The common sense, the logic, the functionality and the constructive simplicity guide the project. The exhibitions are the protagonists and he building is an effective and appealing package. The austerity and the committed beauty, based on the proportion, in accordance with the function and appropriateness, are the aims of the project. The triangle, the shipyard basic form, functional and close way, is taken as a base and multiplied.
The fourth one; MEMORIES, SUGGESTIONS The museum seeks to somehow slightly associate and suggest the confused and chaotic world that evokes together the following images; wooden pier, boat, bilge, dock, ship bottom, shipyard, pier, light, sea, warehouse, light, dark, tours, labyrinth, rationality, contrast. It’s the mechanism of the metonymy.
The fifth; LIGHT AND SPACE It is essential in the project to create an architectural space quality. The idea is to create a continuous luminous atmosphere where dark objects (mainly boats) stand out in a continuous light background. The abundant light poured from the sloping ceilings with different orientations enlarges and light the space with interesting nuances. The exhibition space will be broad and fluid as a modern Gallerie des Machines. The light will be controlled by means of screen / curtain in the skylights. The upper galleries, will tour the different rooms.
The last and most important one; TO CREATE AN INVITING MUSEUM All told, the goal is to create an evocative museum, not only where the artworks will be highlighted, but also where the splendor and brilliance of the museum space will amplify the quality of the objects exhibited.
