DATA proposal for the extension of the Serlachius Museum Gösta consists of a building characterized by its sober and quiet aesthetics compatible with its unique cultural environment, a peaceful and preserved bank of a lake. This new construction with the tonality associating the wood lights fairness with glass and the white concrete thus offers a serene architecture which proposes sights tallied on the 360 degrees of the horizon. Installed tangentially with the northern frontage of the manor, it is relatively low and without salient angles. The effort is related to the construction of a unit architectural object in dialogue with its close environment.
Its characteristic form indicates an identifiable concept for the extension of the museum : a first order cultural equipment in adequacy with the principles of sustainable development. It is characterized by its cylindrical form, the setting in architectural scene of its various programs in a set of superimposed parts, the “image” of a singular and innovative museum.
The general concept of the functional organization of the new museum is a set of overlapping programmatic boxes on three floor levels, each level having two separate boxes. These overlays create de facto a system of hanging terraces that can put these boxes in physical relation on and free transverse views to the landscape. The entry of the museum for the visitors is done by a single access in northern frontage of the building, in the vicinity immediate of the existing manor and of its square.
This entry allows access to the “star-shaped” foyer that then distributes effectively all publicly accessible spaces, particularly the ticket office and shop located in the center of the device. This entrance foyer is designed as the nerve center of the building. Besides the entrance foyer, this level also includes the assembly hall and restaurant as well as their attachments.
This entrance foyer also provides access to the other two floors of the building: - the lower level served by an escalator and that includes exhibition spaces, collections’ treatment and storage facilities and property management facilities - the upper level which includes the offices, conference room and library
Placed along the lake and under the cross-boxes at higher levels, the exhibition rooms enjoy an optimal quality of light and space, well protected from sunlight by the slatted wooden and glazing with high solar factor. All levels are accessible by a bank of three elevators at different uses for the public and staff. At the lower level, a service area allows easy access for delivery vehicles by a path created from the access road to the manor.
Architect: DATA Location: Mänttä, Finland Project Leader: Raphaël Masson Design Team: Rachelle Tricon, Edouard Guyard, David Lelong
