Project 3- Machine vs Nature, Robert Klippel Art Gallery

Site Plan

The Facade

Schematic roof design



Schematic Roof Model

When looking at Robert Klippel's artwork I believed that a sculptural building was most appropriate. I looked to his crystaline forms found in nature as inspiration and contrasted them with machine type forms created using exposed steel beams and space frames. The crystaline forms are repeated throughout the whole gallery design.

Final Roof Design

Large skylight's allow natural light to penetrate the gallery spaces. These have been arranged so that they face north to optimise natural light throughout the day but also to compliment the crystaline composition of the building.

I used this piece of Klippel's artwork to inspire the building's facade.

Schematic Massing Model

Final Composition

Project 3- Floor Plans

Klippel didn't believe in horizontal lines thinking it goes against prinicples of natural growth. I therefore designed a floor plan avoiding horizontal wall planes. It is also a reflection of the crystaline roof plan from my original concept drawings. The first concepts of the floor plans originated from the schematic roof plan.

First Floor

Incorporates mezzanine gallery space, gallery owner's bedroom and bathroom.

Ground Floor Plan

Incorporates small sculpture gallery, painting gallery, large sculpture gallery, office, store, kitchenette and workroom.

Project 3- Sections

Small Sculpture Space Plan & Section

Section

Project 3- Vinyettes

I reflected on Eileen Gray when I designed the senquence of the gallery spaces using the same compression of spaces. The initial gallery spaces are small and initmate and gradually release the patrons as they proceed throughout the gallery.

Small Sculpture Room

In this room I wanted to create an intimate small space. The light enters via a small skylight creating ambiant lighting. The display reflects the crystaline theme created on the facade.

Mezzanine Level

This space I wanted to have a machine-like feel. I would use expanded mesh flooring which would allow light to penetrate to the space below. The stair help emphasise the machine-like arrangement using expanded mesh goings and metal balustrading reflecting on Klippel's artwork.


Large Sculpture Gallery Space


This space is designed to achieve maximum volume and light. It is primarily lit by a large skylight in the roof with a northern aspect but also through large windows also facing north. The changing light in this room will bring to life the large metal sculptures in this space by means of the dancing shadows and light reflected off the sculptures.


The Courtyard

The courtyard experiences optimum light as it takes advantage of the northern aspect. It is based around a Zen garden, a belief Klippel was particularly interested in, using pebbles and water whilst still continuing the crystaline arrangement seen throughout. This courtyard displays more of Klippel's sculptures as a water feature.

Project 3- Robert Klippel

The Art

I wanted to represent an artist that would reflect on Newtown's experiental, boho type feel. I thought to do this I would look at recycled and industrial art, this lead me to Robert Klippel. Robert Klippel was fasinated by structures and components of organic and mechanical forms forging correspondences between the two. As well as working with metal he used wood, plastics and also produced paintings.

Architecture and Art

Due to his fasination with machine versus nature I looked to Coop Himmelblau and Richard Goodwin for inspiration. In particular there use of a metal exoskeleton and glass to achieve a sculptural machine-like composition.

Project 3- The Site

Site 3
The site is sandwiched between a hotel and a food outlet.

Surrounds

The performing arts complex

The impromptu community market and art space alcove

Opposite

Wilson Street

Project 3- Site Analysis

The site 3 is located on King Street in Newtown. I feel that the art gallery would compliment the existing performing arts centre on the corner of Eliza and King Street as well as the alcove further along King Street towards the city that provides the area with an impromptu community market and art space.

This site also has the advantage of being exposed to Wilson Street, Eliza Street and King Street. This maximises the galleries exposure to potential gallery goers and art collectors.

Project 3- Precedence Analysis

Pompidou Centre

Musee d'Orsay

The Pompidou Centre and Musee d'Orsay influenced my gallery design. The facade of the Pompidou Centre incorporates the building's services and circulation paths. This frees the floor plans within the centre allowing the building to adapt to the displays. By placing the structure on the outside of the building it creates a machine-like quality to the facade. This is a quality that I was interested in recreating in my gallery design for Robert Klippel.

The Musee d'Orsay also inspired my design. This museum achieves natural light through large skylights. Short partitions separate allow the natural light to flow through the displays and also allows the sound of other gallery goers to permiate throughout the museum creating an energetic atmosphere. I also appreciated the neat linear circulation paths of the museum however due to my artist and his dislike of horizontal planes I had to let this idea go.