3 Architectural Designs that Invite the Outside In, for the Ultimate Exhibition of Art

When visiting a museum or gallery, the art tends to be the main attraction. However, when architects design the space in which to view the art, they go beyond the exhibit and take the entire experience into consideration.

They think about the visitor’s journey -from the entrance to the exit- and all of the little moments in between. Below are 3 designs in which AGNORA-fabricated glass was used to involve the exterior surroundings and make them part of the show.

1 – GILDED WOOLLY MAMMOTH

That’s right. A three-metre tall woolly mammoth, gilded and encased in a glass enclosure, on display at the Faena Hotel in Miami Florida. The goal of this project was to showcase Damien Hirst’s ‘Gone but not Forgotten’ without any obstructions to the art, while maintaining the outdoor atmosphere of the tropical surroundings.

To successfully execute this project, AGNORA had to balance the need for durability and stability in the fabrication of the 4540 lbs insulated glass units with the artistic mandate of the glass vitrine – “in its simultaneous solidity and transparency – is a comment on the fragility of existence”.*

The glazier, M. Cohen & Sons, partnered with AGNORA as they needed a fabricator with the technological ability to eliminate the need for joint lines and to fabricate the walls as single units, with the largest measuring up to 129 ¾” Wide x 246” Long.

Lush green vegetation, swaying palm trees and the roaring ocean provided the stunning backdrop to this beautiful gilded masterpiece.

 *Quoted from www.damienhirst.com/gone-but-not-forgotten

2 – QUEENS MUSEUM

‘World’s Fair’ instantly summons the iconic image of the stainless steel spherical earth. The famous Unisphere is located just outside Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York and is the only remaining structure in use from the international fair.

In 2014, Queens Museum underwent a major renovation led by Architectural firms Grimshaw, and Ammann & Whitney which included a spiral glass staircase, supported by a structure that mimics the Unisphere’s inverted tripod base. The stairs guide the museum visitors up to the mezzanine’s glass bridge where they can observe the real sculpture that was built in 1964.

The stair treads, landings and bridges all consist of low iron, 4-layer, laminated, acid-etched walkable traction-glass. Our technical knowledge, skills and ability to produce large multi-ply laminates and 2 ¼” thick high polish landed us the fabrication project.

As a one-stop, full service glass supplier, with state of the art materials (including SentryGlass Walker Traction), we achieved unprecedented precision, accuracy and efficiencies through 3D measurements (vs traditional wooden templates).

Whether ascending the staircase to take in a bit of history, or watching the light dance from curtain wall to glass fins to galleries, each step is reminiscent of the aspirational energy and hopeful emotion that the World’s Fair embodied.

Learn more about the project here: Architectural Record: Queens Museum

3 – The PIERRE LASSONDE PAVILLION, MUSÉE DES BEAUX ARTS

The Pierre Lassonde Pavilion acts as the new main entrance to the Musée des Beaux Arts in Quebec City. Located a mile outside of Quebec’s Old Quarter, it is nestled in amongst the historic Parc des Champs-de-Bataille and St. Dominque church.

With views of the city and the park, visitors have numerous opportunities to take in the scenery as they move through the museum.

The entrance to the Pavilion is through a 41’ high glass wall that includes the glassed-in lobby and restaurant. AGNORA fabricated the 5-layer laminated glass fins which feature Optiwhite SentryGlass.

The glass fins serve as support to the curtain wall but more importantly, they enable a fully-transparent view of the beautiful elements surrounding the building; an elegant compliment to the works of art within the galleries.

 “We are aware of museum fatigue, so we wanted natural light and views throughout the entire sequence,” says architect Shohei Shigematsu of OMA*.

We can’t imagine anyone tiring of this lovely museum anytime soon.

Learn more about the project here: Architectural Record: Pierre Lassonde Pavilion

 *Quoted from http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11758-pierre-lassonde-pavilion

Check out these projects & many more on our Projects page.

PARTNERS

Woolly Mammoth

Artist: Damien Hirst

Glass supplier: Pilkington North America

Glazier: M. Cohen & Sons

Queens Museum

Architects: Grimshaw, and Ammann & Whitney

Designer: Michael Ludvick

Installers: Capco Steel, Volmar Construction, M. Cohen & Sons

Musee des Beaux – Arts

Architectural Firm: OMA

Glass Supplier: Pilkington North America

Glazier: Gamma

Interlayer: Kuraray