Bachelor of Architecture 2006

Richard Yiu Cheong Li

 

 

Entering the galleries, one may start by tracking the exteriors of the sculptures, moving -- in the particular configuration in close proximity to the steel skins, a proximity that sets up a tension between one’s bodily awareness and one’s vision. Because one frequently sees the converse of what is occurring at one’s feet Happening over one’s head, the works generate bodily based movement and responses, which are neither necessarily nor exclusively initiated by looking or seeing. Though, arguably, it is even more difficult to track Visually the curvature of the wall surfaces when inside these works, the footprint of the sculpture and the shape of its upper profile become clear. Each is a perfect ellipse, and each has the same radius; however, these ellipses are not aligned but angled dramatically one to the other. In this lies both the structural and Compositional source of the unprecedented spatial experiences.

 

 

Site

The site is located in between the Folk Art Museum and NY Institute of Finance on W53rd St. and Avenue of the Americas. Folk Art Museum is the well known museum of Modern Art Building, it is often identified as the most influential museum of contemporary art in the world.

 

The project is asked to design a permanent exhibition building for the artwork "Torqued Ellipses" by Richard Serra. The site is currently utilize as a line up area for entering into MOMA when there is a major exhibition being held. New York is known as a city of dense and vertical development, and this is exactly the characteristic of the site. W53rd St is heavily populated, along with lots of art culture. 

 

 

Design Concept
 

 

Would it be possible to design an architecture that will create a void in the busy context and let them enjoy the art of Richard Serra?

 

The project will by-pass the normal zoning procedures, and will be dealt with as a site specific application at the city. A 11.5 wide void will be created in between the museum and NY Institute of Finance building on the west side. This will allow connection between W53rd St. and W54th St and a park in this dense urban fabric. 

 

 

The design of the museum can be broken into 3 parts. 

Public/ Common Space

All the public and common space will be at the ground level where the public can access in and out. This include the temporary galleries and the park. This will strengthen the concept of connecting the W53rd St. and W54th St.

 

Main Exhibition- Torqued Ellipses

The main 4 torqued ellipses are located at the upper level as an outdoor park. It is accessible from a set of stair from the street level. It is also placed at the upper floor for more visibility along W53rd St. 

 

Exhibition/ Gallery

This is where all the other temporary work and video will placed.

 

 

 

TORQUE ELLIPSE DIMENSION

 

MATERIAL: COR-TEN STEEL

( L X W X H)

 

I. 8.25m X 7m X 4.5m

II. 8.8m X 7.0m X 4m

III. 8.5m X 8.3m X 4.5m

IV. 8.5m X 8.5m X 4.5m

TOTAL AREA= 48mx10mx4.5m

= 1/3 OF THE BUILDING SIZE