OCCIDENTAL MINDORO STATE COLLEGE
Rizal Street, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro 5100
Website: [Link]
Email address: omsc_9747@[Link] Tele/Fax: (043) 491-1460
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Main Campus
BS ARCHITECTURE
PROGRAM
DESIGN 4 : SPACE PLANNING 1
SUBJECT AND SECTION
RESEARCH : MUSEUM
TITLE OF THE REPORT/ACTVITY/ASSIGNMENT
MELITANTE, REZIN JAY M.
NAME
Rating
DATE
AR. MARIEL B MARTINEZ , UAP
INSTRUCTOR
I. INTRODUCTION
Museums can vary considerably in size, type and purpose, therefore it is important to be
able to narrow down the particular features and context for the project as concepts are developed.
Some museums employ large amounts of staff, qualified experts who curate, manage and conserve
the collections. Other museums however, may require very few staff to oversee the exhibits.
While there is no standard formula for space planning and areas for a museum, due to their
variations, much of the requirements will come from the clients brief, type of collection, purpose
and so on. It is important to understand the museum’s mission, and create an interesting layout for
the collections. Key to this is the circulation through the spaces and how the visitors interact with
the exhibits.
Museums should be easily accessible for all types of people, not only from a location and
travel perspective, but also in terms of accessing and traveling through the building. Welcoming
visitors within the first few feet of a museum should be one of its biggest priorities. It’s often
helpful to have some sort of directional signage that leads people to different sections or exhibits,
and provides information about current happenings in the building. Museums are typically
designed with clear flow paths so that visitors can easily find their way around, while also
providing plenty of places where they’re free to wander and explore at will.
II. MUSEUM AND ITS TYPES
A museum is a building that houses collections of art, history, or other objects. Museums
are often designed to be beautiful and inviting spaces for visitors. They can also serve as
educational facilities where people can learn about the world around them. Museums are usually
funded by public money and guided by a board of directors. It is important to keep this in mind
when designing them so that they can fill the needs of their visitors, while also being financially
sustainable.
A museum will sometimes be designed to house a specific collection, but it may also be
designed to have different exhibits and collections throughout the year. The type of collections
will have an impact on the way the museum is designed.
TYPES OF MUSEUMS
1. ART MUSEUMS
Art museums are sanctuaries of creative expression, housing the works of artists across
centuries and continents. They offer visitors a glimpse into the vast array of human creativity, from
ancient sculptures and Renaissance paintings to contemporary installations. These institutions
serve as cultural landmarks, offering educational programs, special exhibitions, and public events
that engage the community and promote an appreciation for the arts.
2. HISTORY MUSEUMS
History museums are the custodians of our past, presenting a tangible link to the events,
people, and cultures that have shaped our world. They range from broad national museums like
the British Museum, which houses a collection spanning over two million years of history, to more
focused institutions that recount the stories of specific events, communities, or industries.
3. SCIENCE MUSEUMS
Science museums are dynamic spaces designed to make science accessible and exciting.
They achieve this through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and immersive planetarium
shows that cover a wide range of topics from physics and chemistry to biology and astronomy.
4. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS
Natural history museums offer a window into the natural world, from the depths of the
oceans to the far reaches of the cosmos. They house extensive collections of specimens and
artifacts, including dinosaur fossils, mineral crystals, and preserved wildlife, providing insights
into the Earth’s biodiversity and geological history.
5. SPECIALTY MUSEUMS
Specialty museums focus on specific subjects, offering deep dives into niche interests
or particular aspects of culture and society. This category encompasses a wide range of
institutions, from toy museums and wax museums to those dedicated to espionage, like the
International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C
6. ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS
Archaeological museums serve as time machines, transporting visitors back to ancient
civilizations through their collections of artifacts, ruins, and relics. These museums, like the
Acropolis Museum in Athens, not only display items but also contextualize them within the
societies they originated from, offering insights into daily life, religious practices, and architectural
advancements of ancient peoples.
7. WAR AND MILITARY MUSEUMS
War and military museums are dedicated to preserving the artifacts, stories, and lessons of
military conflicts throughout history. The Imperial War Museum in London covers conflicts
involving Britain and the Commonwealth from the First World War to the present, offering a
comprehensive look at the impact of war on society, culture, and individuals.
8. MARITIME MUSEUMS
Maritime museums explore the relationship between humanity and the sea, chronicling the
adventures, challenges, and advancements in naval exploration, trade, and warfare. The Vasa
Museum in Stockholm is centered around the 17th-century Vasa ship, which tragically sank on its
maiden voyage and was painstakingly recovered centuries later.
9. TRANSPORT MUSEUMS
Transport museums document the evolution of transportation, from horse-drawn carriages
and steam engines to modern automobiles and aircraft. The National Railway Museum in York
houses an impressive collection of railway artifacts, including the iconic Mallard steam locomotive,
the fastest steam engine in the world.
10. CULTURAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUMS
Cultural and ethnographic museums are dedicated to the preservation and presentation of
cultural heritage, showcasing the traditions, arts, and ways of life of different peoples and societies.
The National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., provides a window into the richness
of African cultures through its collection of traditional and contemporary African art.
11. MUSIC MUSEUMS
Music museums celebrate the history and impact of music across genres and cultures,
featuring instruments, scores, personal items of famous musicians, and multimedia exhibits. The
Grammy Museum in Los Angeles offers an interactive exploration of the creative process of
music-making, the history of the Grammy Awards, and the achievements of music legends.
12. LITERARY MUSEUMS
Literary museums are dedicated to the lives and works of authors, poets, and playwrights,
offering insights into their creative worlds, the historical contexts of their works, and their literary
legacies. The Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh honors the lives of Scottish literary figures such as
Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis
13. FASHION MUSEUMS
Fashion museums showcase the art of clothing design, from historical costumes to
contemporary haute couture, highlighting the trends, designers, and cultural influences that have
shaped fashion over time. The Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York presents
rotating exhibitions that explore various facets of fashion, including its artistry
14. FOOD MUSEUMS
Food museums delve into the history, culture, and science of food and drink, offering a
sensory exploration of culinary traditions from around the world. The Museum of Food and Drink
in New York brings the world of food to life through interactive exhibits, tastings, and cooking
demonstrations, highlighting the ways in which food shapes our lives and communities.
15. VIRTUAL MUSEUMS
In the digital age, virtual museums offer a new way to experience art, history, and culture,
providing access to collections and exhibits through the internet. The Google Art Project allows
users to explore artworks from museums around the world, offering high-resolution images and
virtual tours of museum galleries.
III. ARCHITECTURAL SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Since museums vary in size and purpose, it is critical to narrow down the specific features,
amenities, design, and context during the conceptualization phase. Researching about museum
architecture thesis and museum architecture case studies can shed light on the complexity of
museum design.
More prominent museums need to employ a sizeable staff who can curate, manage, and
conserve the exhibit, aside from the admin and maintenance personnel. As such, smaller museums
would only require a handful of employees to oversee their daily operations.
When it comes to museum architecture, the first impression lasts. Therefore, it is ideal to
prioritize the entrance hall and install directional signage and other information leading to the
exhibit. Understanding its primary purpose and the layout of the collection will determine space
circulation and how the visitors will view or interact with the display.
Furthermore, most museum architecture concepts incorporate the use of multiple kinds of spaces,
such as:
• Public display areas
• Storage for exhibits not currently on display
• Conservation area
• Data collection
• Loading/unloading
• Packing/unpacking
• Workshop
• Staff facilities
• Lobby/reception
• Sales/shop
• Cafe
• Public restroom facilities
• Event spaces
• Teaching rooms
Understanding the correlation between these spaces is crucial due to the significance and
value of the collection. The museum architecture firm must assess how each functionality can
benefit one another and how the public and staff will navigate between these areas.
IV. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING A
MUSEUM
ACCESSIBILITY
It is important that the museum is accessible to all and this should be taken into
consideration throughout the design process to ensure access is not an afterthought. The building
must be able to accommodate people with any kind of disability. This can fall into three different
areas.
APPROACH AND ENTRANCE
Users must be able to approach and enter the building safely and easily. If the building is
an existing historic building with restrictions to access, it could be worth considering an alteration
to the main point of entry to allow for everyone to access the building in a more convenient location.
CIRCULATION
All visitors should be able to circulate through the building using the same routes, with or
without a disability. Ideally, lifts should be near to main stair access to allow everyone to
experience the same flow through the spaces. Disabled facilities should be available on every floor
to allow easy access.
Signage and guidance is an important part of the circulation plan of a museum, helping to
guide the visitor on the suggested route through the exhibits help them get the best experience of
the museum. Consider foreign visitors and how this information might be communicated to them.
The entrance of the museum should a provide clear indication of the layout of the building,
proposed circulation and facilities available to the visitor. This will ensure the visitor is able to
access the collections, and the other museum services available.
Circulation through the museum may take a linear form, where there is a clear beginning,
middle or end. Circulation could also be a loop, where the visitor is led through the collections and
finishes back at the beginning. Other options include core and satellites, where there are more
central areas with small display rooms branching off from them. In some cases there will be a
combination of all of the above. Staircases, escalators and lifts will need to be designed in
accordance with local building regulations.
Circulation through the spaces will be one of the most important parts of the museum
planning and layout and is not to be underestimated.
STAFF
All other areas not open to the public should be easily accessible for a wheelchair user,
with suitable facilities on the office level. All access requirements will be noted in local building
regulations, it is important to adhere to these guidelines. However, I would always aim to go above
and beyond the minimum requirements to make sure access and use of the museum is enjoyed by
all equally as much as possible.
DISPLAY AND COMMUNICATION
How the exhibits are displayed and communicated will play an important role
in the experience of the visitors. There are a variety of mediums that can facilitate
communication of the collections to the visitors and these include:
• graphic display
• video and sound
• theatre
• video
• static objects
• tactile objects
• interactive computer
• animatronics
• reconstruction
• working environments and more
Interactive elements will allow visitors to explore and learn more about the
topic, while sound can create a mood or atmosphere. Lighting is also important to
allow viewers to see the exhibits clearly, but can also create an atmosphere.
STORAGE
Storage spaces will depend on the nature of the collections and the work
carried out at the museum in addition to the display of collections to visitors. Storage
spaces can require access by staff to assess the collections, or they may be temporary
holding areas while collections and changed over. Generally the storage areas will
not be open to the public and solely used by staff of the museum. Storage
requirements will be specific to each museum and it is important to understand the
requirements to ensure enough space is provided.
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND RESTROOMS
Public facilities and restrooms should be easy to locate throughout the
building. Museum visitors often spend a long time in the building and will require
moments to rest. Seating and rest zones should be available for visitors to use, along
with usual sanitary requirements. Cafes are often located at the entrance to a museum
to allow visitors to access refreshments at the start or end of their visit.
LIGHTING
The lighting design in a museum or building that houses sensitive objects is a
complicated process. Considerations need to be taken first and foremost on the
effects of natural and artificial lighting on the exhibits. Direct sunlight should not
fall on a collection item and there are detailed guidance documents relating to UV
radiation and light dosage which go beyond the scope of this article.
Lighting can also create a mood and experience for the visitor as they pass
through the collections. It is important that visitors aren’t subjected to extreme
changes in brightness as this can be uncomfortable. However changes in lighting is
important in order to provide interest. Colored lighting can also be used as well as
different types of lights. It can be used to create highlights and shadows around the
collections.
CLIMATE, EQUIPMENT AND TEMPERATURE
Museum collections are often sensitive to any fluctuations in temperature,
humidity and air pollution. Therefore it is important the climatic conditions are
designed carefully and remain constant in any areas that house the exhibits,
including any storage facilities.
SECURITY
Security is an important consideration for any museum design. The safety of
the museum staff, visitors and collections are of utmost importance, with many
factors to consider. Reducing entry points to the museum allows for access areas to
be monitored closely. Usually a single entrance for the public will suffice, with
additional access for staff and deliveries. Entrance and exits are the more vulnerable
part of the building in terms of security and need special attention when designing.
Museums are often zoned for security reasons, with daytime access enabled
for all visitors, but night time security increased. Visitors can be sent through a
security checkpoint before entering the museum. Museum employees can wear
uniforms to that they can be easily identified and trained on how to handle
emergencies and protocols that should be followed.
All collections and exhibits must be suitably protected from theft, vandalism
and accidental damage. This may include using glass cabinets to house the exhibits
or employing security staff to patrol the spaces and monitor particularly important
or expensive pieces. Space must be provided for equipment and safe escape from the
building in case of emergency.
V. DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY
The allure of museums as iconic structures attracting tourists globally is undeniable.
Beyond their cultural significance, museums often serve as catalysts for urban revitalization
projects, garnering substantial investments to redefine community identity.
The diverse range of museums reflects humanity's boundless creativity and thirst for
knowledge. Whether showcasing history, science, art, or digital innovations, each museum offers
a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of our world.
In summary, museums not only captivate visitors with their rich offerings but also play a
pivotal role in shaping urban landscapes and fostering community pride. As symbols of cultural
heritage and innovation, they stand as testaments to human ingenuity and curiosity.
VI. THE TYPE OF MUSEUM BEST SUITED FOR
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
For Occidental Mindoro, a museum that highlights the cultural heritage, natural resources,
and history of the region would likely be well-suited. This could include exhibits on indigenous
peoples, traditional crafts, local flora and fauna, as well as the history of the province, including
its role in the colonial period and its development over time. Additionally, interactive displays or
activities that engage visitors in learning about the unique aspects of Occidental Mindoro would
enhance the museum experience.
CULTURAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUMS - Cultural and ethnographic
museums are dedicated to the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage, showcasing the
traditions, arts, and ways of life of different peoples and societies. Ethnographic museums
conserve, display and contextualize items relevant to the field of ethnography, the systematic study
of people and cultures. By producing exhibitions of different cultures museums become spaces
where knowledge of cultures on a global scale is learnt, yet they also serve to represent the nation
in which the museum is situated.
VII. DESIGN CONCEPT
Community architecture means the built environment that offers itself for community use
or stimulates the community participation, in a profound social, inclusive sense. Community
architecture in museums involves designing spaces and programs that actively engage with the
surrounding community, fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and participation. This concept
emphasizes collaboration between the museum and local residents, integrating their voices,
cultures, and perspectives into the museum's exhibits, events, and decision-making processes. It
often involves community outreach initiatives, co-curated exhibitions, interactive workshops, and
spaces designed for community gatherings and dialogue. Overall, it aims to make museums more
responsive to the needs and interests of their diverse communities, creating meaningful
connections and promoting social cohesion.
