MANUEL L.

QUEZON UNIVERSITY
College of Architecture

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 6
MAJOR PLATE NO. 3

A MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS

A. Background

Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in time. It is said to have developed from
Postmodern Art which is the successor of Modern Art.

Professional artists exhibit their arts in contemporary art galleries. It is also through private
collectors, art auctions, corporations, and arts organizations that contemporary arts could be
seen and appreciated.

Filipinos are known worldwide as artistic and creative people. Our artists are thriving in
industries ranging from performing to visual arts, and creating the most iconic of masterpieces
that command top dollar abroad. It cannot be denied that there are so many Filipinos who have
done outstanding works in the field of contemporary arts. The names are too many and too long
to mention. It is through this undisputable fact that we need to build museums that would
further boost our pride as a people.

Although the Museum of Contemporary Art may showcase not only pieces of art produced by
Filipinos, it is also a source of pride to have a place where a collection of these arts are housed
and preserved for the people to see and appreciate.

Statement of the Problem

What shall be the best planning and design of a Museum of Contemporary Arts?

Significance of the Problem

This project will enable the students to be familiar with the space requirements, standards and
proper layouting of various art exhibits that are needed within a museum of contemporary arts.

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 As part of their formative body of knowledge in designing, it will further strengthen their
foundation in the planning and design fields.

This project is significant in that it will help in the promotion of people’s interest and awareness
about museums, more particularly contemporary arts, which should be emphasized to let the
public know its use and importance.

Architects, as well as would-be architects (students of architecture), are therefore called upon to
contribute their share in the appreciation of contemporary arts and the attainment of an art-
conscious society.

B. Project Objectives

Among the objectives of this project are the following:

1. To choose the best site for a museum for contemporary arts;

2. To learn how to analyze the topographic characteristics of the chosen site;
3. To determine the required spaces in a museum;
4. To know the different contemporary arts and the corresponding facilities which should
characterize the museum project;
5. To be familiar with standards, proper layouting, and other design principles for the
museum;
6. To be able to apply these principles and other design data in a hypothetical design
problem or design project;
7. To help in promoting art appreciation in the country.

C. Design Considerations

1. Topographical characteristics. The proposed site should be ideally flat for a museum.
Where this is not possible, the designer should be able to determine within the site
those areas of which the required facilities can be built without sacrificing the minimum
space requirements.

2. Sustainable environment. The proposed development should not, in any manner, create
adverse impact on the existing environment. Moreover, it should be able to enhance the
natural features of the site and ensure sustainability even with the introduction of man-
made structures and landscapes.

3. Proper Orientation. Facilities should be properly oriented for the convenience of the
users and the protection and maintenance of exhibits, and in order to save on energy.
Design of galleries should try to capitalize on sufficient daylighting; other spaces should,
as much as possible, be designed using passive cooling techniques.

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 4. Proper Circulation. Facilities should have good internal and external circulation. Internal
circulation shall guide the visitors to ensure that they shall have meaningful experience
during the visit. Careful study in integrating or segregating vehicular and pedestrian
circulation should be made.

5. Comprehensive Collection and World Class Museum. The proposed project shall
consider a comprehensive collection of contemporary arts to be housed in a world class
facility. This would mean providing all the necessary spaces and the utilization of
modern up-to-date materials, systems and technology based on research.

6. Aesthetically pleasant and calamity-proof design. The design of the museum should
exhibit universal appeal apart from being able to withstand the kind of major natural
calamities that have visited the country recently.

D. Site Description, Lot Plan

The students in groups shall research on the ideal site for the museum. The final site shall be
chosen from the suggested sites. The proposed site should at least have the following features:

1. Not less than 5 hectares in total land area so that it can accommodate the minimum
required facilities or spaces;

2. Be as close as possible to the center of population and major transportation routes and
other related amenities.

3. Available topographic plan to be used for site analysis.

E. Space Requirements

The following are the minimum required spaces:

1. Administration Section – Depending on the outcome of students’ research on prevailing

organizational set-up of museums, this building shall house the offices of all officials running
the museum and the employees involved; it is usually headed by a director.

2. Gallery – Gallery sections to be categorized according to arts classification and to include

offices for the curator and his/her staff, and other necessary spaces that may come out in
the research.

3. Library – to include offices for the librarian and his/her staff, and other spaces that may
come out in the research.

4. Development Center – to include spaces for the educational supervisor and his/her staff, and
other spaces that may come out in the research.

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 5. Cafeteria– To include dining area, kitchen, comfort rooms, etc.

6. Other Requirements – If the museum shall be world-class, there might be special spaces or
facilities which should be included. The students shall research on these special spaces or
facilities and incorporate them in the space programming.

F. Design/Drawing Requirements

1. Written Research Report (Group Work) – should be submitted in A4 size bond paper with
proper folder. Research should include all about planning and design of museums. Format:
Introduction, definition of terms, research data and synthesis/evaluation.

The Report shall also include the group’s Site Analysis, Microclimate analysis, Diagrammatic
Sequential Flow of Users & Bubble Diagram.

2. Drawing Requirements (Individual) – the following should be presented in 20” x 30” tracing
papers, using convenient scale:

a. Planning and Design Concept(s)/Design Philosophy, Design Objectives, Design

Considerations, Space Program (Matrix & Bubble Diagrams)– to be presented in
narrative, graphical or diagrammatic form. It should clearly illustrate or explain what the
planner/designer wishes to achieve as a solution to the problem given above.

b. Site Development Plan of the Museum of Contemporary Arts, showing the orientation of
building and outdoor facilities. It should also show the circulation systems which
includes vehicular and pedestrian access, and the landscaping of the whole site.

c. Proposed Building or Buildings – each of the building in the museum, whether to serve
as gallery or administrative shall have:

1. Floor Plan(s) at scale 1:100 meters or better, showing proposed furniture and
materials or finishes and computation of areas.

2. Four (4) elevations of each building, showing height dimensions and exterior
materials and finishes.

3. Two (2) sections of each building, showing height clearances of spaces.

4. Exterior and Interior Perspectives – beautifully rendered, showing the internal and
external character of the structures;

5. Other important details that should be included as a matter of addressing the

planning and design requirements stipulated above.

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Milestones:

Start-- After the Med-term Exams

Submission--- Before the Final Exams

Activity Schedule:

Schematic Design Stage:

Design Development Stage:

Final Presentation Stage:

Note: No Late Plates

Prepared by:

AD6 Professor