Buenos Aires Museum of Contemporary Art
Feasibility Study
By definition contemporary art is constantly evolving. As such, spaces that exhibit it should be foci of events and action rather than static museums in the traditional sense. The goal of this design is to create such a structure: a low-environmental-impact, aesthetically pleasing, lively building whose every area, even the loading dock, can be used for performance and art display. Inspired by the important popularity of the nearby reserva ecologica, the site, and the use of birds as symbols of freedom and peace-states which artists have always strived towards, we shaped the building like a dove at rest on the water’s edge.
Tectonics/materials/sustainability:
A cable and post space frame drapes across two primary torqued frames, and anchored down to the ground, holding an undulating plane of triangulated lightweight roof panels, set in interlocking pattern to allow north light monitors and passive air circulation. Reinforced air scrubbing concrete panels skin steel substructures at the mast walls. Honeycomb panels with pvc skins and sound absorbing undersides at roof system. honed exposed agregate concrete slab floor systems.
Program:
The building is entered on the south west corner, a location most convenient to public transport. The auditorium, cafe and multi-purpose space which is joined to the entrance are designed so that they can be open independently of the museum. The galleries are aligned to allow for maximum freedom to pursue large scale in the exhibited works. finally the loading area, which will be relatively unused, compared to those of most other building programs is intended to also function as a stage or exhibition platform for art and the zone surrounding it as a sculpture plaza and audience seating/dancing space during performances.
