My final project this year was to design an extension of the Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. The main museum is situated in a park, and the design of the extension prioritizes connecting the park with the museum while minimizing its footprint on the parkland. This ensures ample public space to enjoy both the park and the museum building.
The core concept was to avoid a massive building on the park. Instead, the design features a sunken museum with a central courtyard and an entrance aligned with the existing museum. The courtyard plays a pivotal role in the building, allowing natural light and ventilation to permeate the space.
Since a significant portion of the museum lies underground, substantial excavation will be required. To minimize the carbon footprint, the walls on the ground and upper floors will be constructed using rammed earth, a technique that utilizes excavated soil on-site.
The underground museum features an open-plan concept that offers flexibility. Wooden boards surrounding the pillars allow for easy reconfiguration of the space. The urban setting was carefully considered to enhance the building materials and visitor experience.
Gallery
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