Architectural Heritage Museum: An Adaptive Reuse
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2.9 Case Studies
Local Case Studies
National Museum of the Philippines
Location:
The National of Museum of
the Philippines is located in Padre Burgos
drive, Rizal Park, Manila. It is chosen to
be one of the case studies because like the
proposed project, it is an example of a
building that has been adaptively
reused into a museum.
Fig. 32: National Museum of the Philippines
Source: asemus.museum
Designer:
The building of the National Museum in Padre Burgos drive in Manila is formerly
known as the Legislative Building of the Philippines which was originally designed by
American Architect, Ralph Harrington Doane, assisted by Filipino, Antonio Toledo. The
building was part of the original plan of Daniel Burnham for Manila and it was planned
to house the National Library. But after years of delay, the original plan for the supposed
national library was changed to accommodate Philippine Legislature thus changing the
interior layout. It was Juan Arellano who did the changes in the plans of the interior.
Throughout the history, the building housed different sects of the government until the
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only one left was the National Museum. Today, the building houses the National Museum
of Fine Arts.
Cost:
There is no available data that shows the budget in the construction of the National
Museum. Although it recently underwent renovation, there was no budget that was released
to the public.
Summary:
The National Museums layout was changed to serve the legislature and now, it is back
to what it was originally designed for. The design of the interior of the building was adapted
and was used as something that gives the ambiance for the exhibits. The Hall of the
Masters, for example, is dedicated to the painters Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo who achieved prominence in Saint Louis Exposition. The intricate details of the
room gives it an atmosphere that works well with what the hall is for. The said details gives
grandeur in the hall. Also, with the help of lighting, the ambiance was further enhanced.
The use of paints was also incorporated in creating the mood for the room like the National
Artist Award room. It was painted black contrasting the color of the exterior wall and the
other halls in the museum. With the black paint, the lighting works better. Other colors are
also used in other galleries like Gallery I which was painted with red and showcases the
17th 19th century religious arts, Gallery VIII which was painted green and is showcasing
the Memories of War. And Gallery IV which is painted orange showing the sculptures by
great sculptors. Another exhibit of the museum is the Senate Hall. It was the same senate
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hall that was used before it was converted into the Museum. They reused a part of the
building and used it as one of the attractions.
Fig.33 : Gallery I
Fig. 34: Senate Hall
Source: nationalmuseum.gov.ph
Source: Wikipedia.org
The museums halls and galleries are connected by a corridor making it easy and
organized when it comes to the circulation of people around the building. There are six (6)
stairs that provides vertical circulation around the building. Two (2) of them are used as
the main staircases.
The National Museum has two (2) open courts as well which they used as mini parks
and place for people to get a chance to mingle. They provided a fountain at the center of
the court and some benches for the visitors to use.
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Museum of Natural History
Location:
The building is located in
Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila.
Just like the National Museum of
the Philippines, it is also an adaptive
reuse project that will turn an old
Fig. 35: Museum of Natural History
building to be used as a museum.
Source: domgalicia.com
Designer:
The design for the retrofitting of the old Department of Tourism building was
awarded to the team of Arch. Dominic Galicia with the help of the Interior Designer, Tina
Periquet after the closed competition conducted by the National Museum of the
Philippines. But originally, the old building of the Department of Tourism was designed
by
yet
another
famous
architect
from
the
past,
Antonio
Toledo.
Cost:
The Museum of Natural Historys budget for its development is One billion. This
was according to National Museum chair, Ramon del Rosario.
Summary:
Arch. Galicia and Periquets approach in redesigning the building was organic and
it blended well with the new use of the building which will showcase the diverse flora and
fauna of our country. The highlight of the new Museum of Natural History will be what
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they call DNA Tree of Life. It is a dome
that is covering the central court of the
museum. The faade of the building was
retained except of the dome which was the
only element that was added in the building.
The material that is used for the dome is
Fig. 36: Concept of the DNA Tree of Life
Low-Emissivity glass which reflects the solar heat. The concept of the DNA Tree of life
was from the golden section which was mirrored. Another concept that was incorporated
in the redevelopment of the building is the use of cross-ventilation. It is achieved by
providing operable windows and the floor to ceiling height of the building also helps in
this process.
Foreign Case Studies
Alvar Aalto Museum
Location:
Alvar Aalto Museum is
located in Alvar Aallon katu 7,
Jyvskyl, Finland. This museum
showcases Alvar Aaltos life
work in chronological order.
Designer:
Fig. 37: Alvar Aalto Museum
Source: larryspeck.com
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The designer of this building is the same person the museum is named after, Alvar
Aalto. He is a Finnish architect, designer, painter and sculptor. Aalto is considered as a
modern architect during his time. The building was designed during Aaltos white
period.
Summary:
The museums faade are clad in light colored ceramic tiles called halla, the
Finnish word for Frost. The entrance faade has no windows except from some of the
small openings that are near the door. The doors are made up of copper with a bit of marble
in the left side. The roof area is dominated with east-facing roof lights for natural lighting.
The lower floor contains the foyer and cloakrooms, caf, Alvar Aalto Museum Shop,
offices, library and space for storage and for the photographer. There is also a small room
located at the back of the building containing offices and a studio for the museum workshop
'URBS' which was formerly used by the local society of artists. From the caf there is a
view towards a series of open-air pools, with water trickling from one to another along the
route of what was once a natural stream. Light draws one from the dimly-lit foyer to the
stairway leading up to large exhibition gallery on the upper floor (the alvar aalto museum,
n.d.).
The upper-floor exhibition gallery is about 700 m2 in area. The large exhibition hall houses
the museum's permanent exhibition - Alvar Aalto, Architect since it is dedicated to him.
The gallery also exhibits that are related to architecture and design.The Alvar Aalto
Museum has a total area of 1750 m2.
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There is only one collection that is permanent in the Alvar Aalto Museum and the
rest are temporary exhibits which includes more works of Aalto and some are works of
other people which has points of contact with Aaltos interests and themes.
Fig. 38: Alvar Aalto Museum Interiors
Source: visitfinland.com
Latvian Museum of Architecture
Location:
The museum is located in Riga,
Latvia. It is found in an old medieval
complex of dwelling houses called Three
Brothers.
considered
Fig. 39: Latvian Museum of Architecture
These
as
the
buildings
oldest
are
masonry
building in Riga.
Source: rigathisweek.lv
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Designer:
The original designer of the building is unknown but it was restored during 19551957 under the supervision of Architect P. Saulitis. The buildings faade features Dutch
mannerism.
Summary:
The layout of the first floor is similar to that of the previous buildings. There is a
wide room with large windows above a low hall and some of the rooms are located in the
yard located in the second floor and some are in the attic. There is also a stone portal in the
building that was added in 1746 (Actualities, n.d.).
Fig. 40: Latvian Museum of Architecture floor layout
Source: archmuseum.lv
The building was also established as an effort of heritage conservation and was
converted into a museum. Before, one of the buildings are used as bakery. There is no
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permanent exhibition in the museum today but they have over a thousand of collections
that they can change it monthly.
The interior of the building takes you back during the medieval times because of
the proper use of lighting and materials in the exhibition halls. The well-preserved details
inside also helps create the mood inside the halls.
Fig. 41: Latvian Museum of Architecture Interiors
Source: studiokopp.com
Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Museum
Location:
This is a complex located in Tokyo, Japan.
This complex has different buildings inside it.
Fig. 42: Edo-Tokyo Open-air Museum
Source: Wikipedia.org
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Designer:
There is no recorded designer of this museum but it was an effort to preserve
Japanese cultural heritage and was established in the year 1993.
Summary:
The Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Museum, as its name suggest, is a large complex of
exhibits that shows the architectural heritage of Japan. The exhibits itself are the buildings
that are inside the complex along with other outdoor exhibits. The whole complex is
divided into three (3) zones which are the west zone, center zone and the east zone.
Fig. 43: Edo-Tokyo Open-air Museum Map
Source: tatemonoen.jp
According to their website, their exhibits includes livelihood related exhibits and
those that are related in town planning. Through this displays, the record of how the
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Japanese developed their cities can be understood easily. And since the displays inside the
complex are houses itself, it can be
considered as life sized and people
appreciate it better because they can interact
with the exhibits (Edo-Tokyo Open Air
Architectural Museum, n.d.).
Fig. 44: One of the museums building inside.
Source: asliceoftokyo.wordpress
Significance of the Case Studies
The case studies that were mentioned provides concepts and ideas that can be
applied in the process of designing the proposed project. The case studies also provides
data that could be helpful for the project. Local case studies helps by providing the
approach in designing with regard to the local setting. The National Museum shows what
approach could be use in terms of creating the atmosphere of the room when it comes to
the displays and exhibits. The Museum of Natural History, on the other hand, provided an
idea to create architectural elements that both answers aesthetics and function.
The Foreign Case studies presented ideas of what kinds of exhibits could be
introduced in the museum. Proper exhibition and displays helps ensuring that the users of
the museum will learn something from their own experience in the museum.
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Objectives of the Case Studies
Conducting case studies aims to provide ideas and concepts that can be
incorporated in the design of the project. The case studies that are chosen should be able to
help the designer formulate the best strategies so as to create good plan and design for the
project so that its users will be given the quality service that they deserve.
Analytical Framework
Apply the techniques used in lighting
and paint in creating the ambiance for
the hall/rooms in the museum.
Application of the use of life-sized
exhibits to give the users chance to
interact with the displays which in turn
help in the process of learning.
Presents ideas that could be used in the
process of designing the project so as
to provide the best experience of the
users in different aspects especially in
learning.
Application of techniques from the
case study can help improve the users
learning experience.
Fig. 45: Analytical Framework
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Description and comparative analysis of the cases
Parameters
National Museum
of the Philippines
Museum of Natural
History
Exhibits
The exhibits in the
National Museum
go well with the
elements that are in
the museum. The
age of the Museum
complements its
displays and
exhibits.
The Museum of
Natural Historys
concept of making
it organic also
blends with the
exhibits that will be
featured which are
the flora and fauna
of the Philippines.
Circulation
The circulation for
the National
Museum is
organized with a
single hallway that
takes the users to
every room in every
floor. Also, there
six (6) stairs which
provide vertical
circulation.
It is a good
example of
adaptive reuse not
only on the exterior
part but also
reusing the old
elements of the
building.
The circulation of
the museum is also
connected with
corridors and stairs
but the new design
was incorporated
with an elevator as
a mean to get to the
last floor.
Foreign Case
Studies: Alvar
Aalto Museum,
Latvian Museum of
Architecture &
Edo-Tokyo OpenAir Museum
From the foreign
case studies, their
exhibits are varied.
Alvar Aalto and the
Latvian Museum
has one thing in
common which I
they both have
impermanent
displays and
exhibits. The Edo
Tokyo Museum, on
the other hand, has
life-sized exhibits.
Unlike the local
studies, the
museums for the
foreign studies
presents no
organized
circulation plan to
move around the
museum.
It is also a good
example of
adaptive reuse
especially the
design of adding
modern elements
that did not
compromise the
faade.
Among the three,
there are only two
buildings that used
adaptive reuse
which was the
Latvian Museum
and Edo-Tokyo.
Both preserved the
old buildings.
Adaptive Reuse
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Techniques and
Concepts
Use of old details
and lighting and
paint.
Space for
socialization
The courts can be
used as a place for
interaction among
the visitors.
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Incorporating new
elements that
blended with the
theme but
preserved the
integrity of the
building.
The central
courtyard is
converted into a
space where people
have the chance to
interact as well.
Also used lighting
as a medium to
create the ambiance
while the visitors
are roaming the
museum.
Among the three,
the Edo-Tokyo
museum has the
biggest chance to
make its visitors
interact with a large
space inside the
complex.
Recommendation for applications
The use of paint could be used in the project but in a different way. The paint could
be used in depicting exhibits that cannot be shown physically. This would be an economical
way to represent the history of architecture in the Philippines especially those buildings
that are significant but no longer exist. The use of lighting shall also be considered in
designing the proposed project. With the help of the lighting, the mood in a room could be
altered and could help in preparing the psychological thinking of the users when it comes
to viewing the exhibits. Also, the use of recycled materials shall also be one of the
implications of the proposal. Maintaining the elements of the building shall also help in the
promotion of the awareness of the architectural heritage. Keeping a room that would show
the interior of the Post office itself would also be considered.
Development of a place for interaction could also mean sharing of thoughts about the
museum which is another way for learning.
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