Diller + Scofidio This project was a winning design of the competition for the new museum of ICA ( Institute of Contemporary Art ) in Boston . Its design negotiates between two competing objectives: to perform as a dynamic civic building filled with public and social activities, and as a contemplative space providing individual visitors with intimate experiences with contemporary art. (Elizabeth Diller) Museum is located at the waterfront and some of the primary architectural elements and design inspiration are drawn from here. Circulation, transparency and translucency, interface and experience of the space from inside and out, and creation of public space at the same time, were some of the notions that I found appealing in this project.
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The main gesture of the building creates a public grandstand at the HarborWalk side, while through its extension the floor and ceiling of the theater on the second and third floors are created. Seamless skin of the façade that blurs the distinction between walls, windows and doors is achieved with use of vertical planks that alternate in composition between transparent glass, translucent glass and opaque metal. The cantilevered exhibition space is supported by four massive trusses, which are silhouetted behind the gallery's translucent exterior walls. |
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The glass in the performance spaces are left clear, which allows the harbor view to become the backdrop behind the stage. However, depending from the need, glass walls can be controlled ranging from full transparency, to filtered light and no view, to total blackout.
A lenticular glass wall facing the harbor is a special feature of the Long Gallery, is composed of microscopic vertical lenses, the glass that permits vision out when viewed from a perpendicular direction but blocks vision when viewed from an angle.
A vertically stepped-out space suspended from the underside of a cantilevered fourth floor serves as a digital media center. The space provides a stunning perspective of the water, with neither sky nor horizon in sight. |
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Besides exhibition and performance spaces, the museum also includes other programming. A two-story education center will provide adults, families and teens with workshop and classroom spaces for the ICA ’s programs. Here, the participants will experiment in creating both, digital works of art as well as working in traditional media. Upper floors will also house the spaces for dressing rooms, carpentry shops and wardrobe, as well as the museum's administrative offices.
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