Presentation “Sense of Place”
Museums are often seen as destinations. Patrons make deliberate plans to visit and they have fairly well defined expectations about what they will experience upon arrival. That experience begins as one enters the general vicinity of the institution – there may be a glimpse of the building or landscape/hardscape elements that reach beyond the threshold of the Museum to engage visitors. This important approach sequence varies depending on the Museum’s immediate context. The urban fabric, adjacent structures, natural landscape features along with vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns are all important drivers for planning and design amid the chaotic realm of our cities. The intangible aspects of a place also weigh heavily on museum design, the sense of community (or lack thereof) being prime among socio-economic considerations. I will explore these issues and their impact on design outcomes through a critical look at four of my recent museum projects, Including the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
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