THE MUSEUM -Design Proposal IDES3000 -Assignment -Helsinki Finland Christopher Anderson 21293912
The chosen project by a small German Firm, Tochtermann Wuendrich is one of the most unique proposals in the Helsinki Guggenheim Competition which works off of some interesting an important concepts.
Concepts behind proposal Single Free Standing Building The architects outline how they have designed a single free standing building, which as per the brief is a logical idea particularly in a climate like Helsinki.
Extension of the Park The Architects clearly emphasis a great connection with the park to the extent of pulling the park out over the road to sit underneath the building, this is an interesting idea however as analyzed later the significance of the park does not seem great enough to warrant such a radical construction. A link to the park is indeed important however the proposed link could possibly be toned back to place emphasis on other concepts.
Connection of City elements As seen in the site plan the connection of city elements is virtually non existent, there is no proposal for all the land around the primary structure and this is indeed a critical aspect of the design and location of the new Guggenheim.
Three defined elements The architects sought to define park plaza and gallery as three elements of this proposal. The defined elements are critical to the projects success however the small footprint and immense height of the building seem illogical. The Architects also talk about defining the cities industrial edge however the ship dock which they are referring too should not really be classified as industrial as it is strictly for passenger, this does however open up the idea of creating a WELCOME TO HELSINKI area in the for of the Guggenheim. In the way the Sydney Opera house says welcome to Sydney
Accessibility The proposed accessibility of the gallery is flawed. The only method of getting around the building is elevator or a steep flight of stairs located around a central shaft. This could definitely be done better and is surprising given they specifically mention accessibility.
Spatial characteristics
Chosen Entrant for Re-design Chosen Change: Overall the entrants response to the site and the city is lacking and the form does not work well in Helsinki particularly with regards to the sun and shadowing Primary Concept: To create a connected Helsinki Cultural Hub usable in winter and expandable in summer whilst having the Guggenheim have a gentle yet strong presence in the city through direct integration in the cultural area, Architectural scale and by embodying the city itself.
The spatial characteristics of the proposal is why it was chosen. The interesting shapes and forms the show on the buildings facade seem to reference the cities landmarks (although this was not explicitly stated) an the forms which generated these spaces are incredibly interesting volumes especially when viewed in section. This part of the project is its defining feature and allow the Guggenheim to embody Helsinki, as Helsinki embodies the Guggenheim.
Concepts behind Guggenheim Fundamentally a Guggenheim Museum should speak of its Architecture as it speaks of it its art. It is from my interpretation and experience that art entrenched with meaning and story is what is displayed in such a gallery and as such the Architecture should do just the same where every aspect is a result of prolonged design though and contextual cues.
Christopher Anderson 21293912
*Highlighted areas mark landmarks and points of interest, Green=Primary traffic corridors
Christopher Anderson 21293912
A SPLIT CITY
SITE ANALYSIS HELSINKI, FINLAND
Proposed Guggenheim Changes
Christopher Anderson 21293912
FINAL PLANAR FORM
NEW FORM DEVELOPMENT DEFINING AXIS & LINK
Christopher Anderson 21293912
HELSINKI CITY LINK
HELSINKI BOARD WALK HELSINKI CULTURAL CENTRE & ARTS PRECINCT GUGGENHEIM ENTRANCE GUGGENHEIM LIBRARY & SHOP GUGGENHEIM AMPHITHEATER
HELSINKI GUGGENHEIM
A CONNECTED CITY LOCAL INTERNATIONAL
HELSINKI COMMUNAL TRANSPORT HUB HELSINKI INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN SITE ZONING
Christopher Anderson 21293912
Chosen Form Extruded 20m as per highest volume defined in original proposal.
Angling and lifting Defined plan form
High Angled Line= Summer Solstice
Given Helsinki’s extremely northern position in the world it is critical to consider the seasons and the suns movement. By having a tower as originally proposed an enormous shadow would be cast over the city during the 6 months of rare sun Helsinki people get. As a defining condition of the sectional development the building that is decided upon should not cast a large shadow as we want to encourage usage of urban space not limit it.
Form 1 (To Shallow)
The Final resultant form that emerged from the planar definitions and sectional form definitions creates a transitional mass from the super scale of the ships to human scale of the foreshore. The angle of building and the length and positioning of it ensures that no shadow is cast over populated or populatable areas in the city and also assists in transitions towards the height of the hill. The building being 40m high just peaks over the height of the most buildings in Helsinki providing potential 365 degree views of the city
Low Angled Line = Winter Solstice A Primary Principle in the design of the sectional form is the building to cast minimal shadow, the solstice line provide a guide line as to where the shadow will fall, if the building is too high above the winter line a shadow will be cast.
Final Selected Form By taking height of surrounding buildings and objects. The highest and lowest points of the building can be set as to ensure the building fits well within its context. By using the required angle determined by the suns path the length of the building is also set. These defined points allow a number of forms to be generated and a suitably fitting one selected. In this case the building should act as a transition between the 40m high ships which dock and the 10m high historic building which marks the cities waterfront. This also allows for a transition between super scale and human scale.
Form 2 (Casts to larger shadow)
SECTIONAL FORM DEVELOPMENT Form 3 (Fits all requirements)
Christopher Anderson 21293912
The Volumes as outlined in the original proposal have been re used in this design. The arrangement of the volumes was deemed critical to a meaningful design ans as the volumes reect Helsinki, the arrangement was made to do so too. Volume 1 is deemed to be a townhouse similar to the ones on the outskirts of the city as such it was placed on the outer wall on a higher level, The 2nd volumes is a more centrally located historical townhouse and takes a prime position in the building near The 3rd volume, the cathedral dome which is located in the dead center of the building as the cathedral sits in Helsinki.
The resultant form and mass from the subtraction process of internal volumes and the Planar form deďŹ ned by contextual cues, creates a proposal for the Guggenheim that embodies the city as the city embodies the Guggenheim.
The 4th volume, Aalva altos amphitheater makes use of its vaulted ceiling by placing it in location of the best view in the building.
The internal forms create interesting architectural spaces and pay direct homage to the city and its Architectural history.
The 5th volume is the Helsinki Train station interior and has been located to be the entrance of the Guggenheim as well as the ďŹ rst gallery. The 6th shape remains undetermined however its high void is captilised on being placed central along the wall, The 7 volume mirrors the warehouse and given the sites heritage is placed in the most prominent location. The 8th volume is a small hut and symbolizes the origin of the city of Helsinki, as a core element it has been placed midway through the building and runs through the far side like a central spine.
VOLUMETRIC ARRANGEMENT
FORM INTERSECTION
LEVELING
Christopher Anderson 21293912
With the accessibility flaws of the original entry in mind it has been decided to use ramps of 1:10 slope throughout the whole building. This will lower energy usage, maintenance costs and effort, required by stairs escalators and lifts. It also allows disabled people to use the building with assistance and ensures the building flows more comfortably. The ramps key feature is the spiral up through the central dome which is somewhat reminiscent of the Guggenheim’s heritage in New York.
ACCESSIBILITY AND FLOW
Zoning Lightest= Service/Storage Space Darkest= Public flow Space Mid = Gallery Space
FLOOR PLANS
FLOOR ZONING
Christopher Anderson 21293912
SITE ELEVATION
SECTIONS
Materiality Internal The Internal gallery spaces defined by the volumes are likely to be white wash walls and ceilings with a milky finished Finnish wood for the floor or potentially a white marble. These selections have been made as to not detract from the art on displayed or the sculptural nature of the overall internal volumes. The flow spaces will utilize Finnish wood in most areas to provide the Scandinavian feel of the building. This also helps further embody the city and fulfills the Guggenheim briefs desire for use of Finnish would throughout the building
External The external appearance of the building is yet to be fully decided however the idea of cladding the building in rows of Finnish wood similar to that seen in The Metla Forest Research center mimicking the verticality and slat nature of traditional Finnish wood huts. The will contrast strongly against the ultra contemporary form and provides a revitalization of a traditional technique. The slatting will also allow for windows to be placed around the building without being massively visible except at night where the building will reveal its true nature.
Christopher Anderson 21293912