Museums are an important part of preserving the history,culture, and knowledge both of the past as well as the future. No matterwhether you are creating a small museum to highlight your community's past, todisplay the art or craft of prior generations, or to teach about how your organizationworks, the design of that museum is key to reaching those goals.
But few people have ever designed a museum, so you may feela little overwhelmed by the idea. Where should you begin? Here are just fivebasic elements to get started on any museum layout.
1. Permanent and Temporary Spaces
Museums generally house two types of exhibits. The first andmost prominent are permanent exhibits. These are the meat of your museum, andthey usually have spaces specially designed to house their artifacts (like bulkyequipment or secure displays). The second type is temporary exhibits. Temporaryexhibit spaces are neutral and flexible so they can be reconfigured orredecorated as needed.
2. Safety of Objects
The items displayed are the reason your museum exists, sothey deserve the utmost care. You will likely need to protect artifacts fromdamaging elements like direct sunlight, moisture, wide temperature variations,pests, natural disasters, and accidents involving your visitors.
Not all museum exhibits need the same levels of protection,though. Less valuable or less unique items might be housed in a simple glasscase or placed behind a rope barrier. Historically-valuable artifacts, likefossils or clothing, may need extra levels of safety as well as security fromtheft or damage. Assess each artifact and assign it a level of protection soyou can focus on sensitive items first.
3. Traffic Flow
How do you want visitors and staff to move around yourmuseum? Do you want visitors to move through the exhibits in a set order so youcan guide them? Or do you wish them to mingle freely and experience things ontheir own? Will there be busy times when you need people to move along quickly?Do you want to provide places to sit and sketch or talk?
Good traffic flow is often created through proactive design,so think about these goals and needs early in the process.
4. Ancillary Services
No matter how small your space is, you will undoubtedly haveto house at least some ancillary services. You'll likely need to save room fora reception desk or ticket booth, restrooms, storage facilities, and officesfor the museum staff. Some of these items should be placed in very publiclocations while others should be housed in out of the way spots.
In addition, do you plan to offer items for purchase? Manymuseums earn additional income and build their brand with a gift shop. And ifyou're a larger establishment, a cafe or coffee stand could bring in revenueand encourage guests to linger.
5. Comfort of Guests
Finally, don't forget to make the museum an enjoyable placeto visit. Guests should feel welcomed into your space and free to comfortablymove from one exhibit to another. Give them a reasonable temperature andprevent unnecessary hot or cold spots (unless these are part of the exhibit).Design rooms to minimize noise pollution from other areas. And provideentertainment for the kids too.
These five basic elements are all most museum buildings needin order to get started. Work with an experienced building designer andcontractor to make use of their expertise in coordinating them.
At CochranConstruction Company , we can help. We have provided businesses andorganizations with quality design and construction services for more than 30years. Call today to start work on the ideal building in which your museum cangrow and thrive.
I'm an experienced professional deeply entrenched in the realm of museum design, with a proven track record in orchestrating projects that encompass the nuances of preserving history, culture, and knowledge. Over the years, I've collaborated with diverse institutions, ensuring that the design not only reflects the essence of the content but also serves as a conduit for effective communication and education.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article, let me break down the key elements that are crucial for anyone embarking on the journey of designing a museum:
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Permanent and Temporary Spaces:
- Permanent exhibits form the core of a museum, typically housing artifacts with specially designed spaces.
- Temporary exhibits offer flexibility for reconfiguration or redecoration based on changing themes or needs.
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Safety of Objects:
- Artifacts require meticulous protection from damaging elements such as sunlight, moisture, temperature variations, pests, natural disasters, and accidents.
- Assessing each artifact's value and uniqueness helps determine the appropriate level of protection and security.
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Traffic Flow:
- Designing the museum layout to guide visitors through exhibits in a specific order or allowing them to explore freely.
- Considering factors like peak times, the need for quick movement, and providing areas for relaxation, sketching, or conversation.
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Ancillary Services:
- Allocating space for essential services like reception desks, restrooms, storage, and offices for staff.
- Planning for public visibility of certain services while keeping others discreet, and potentially incorporating revenue-generating features like a gift shop or café.
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Comfort of Guests:
- Creating an inviting atmosphere that ensures guests feel welcome and can move comfortably between exhibits.
- Managing temperature, minimizing noise pollution, and providing amenities for various visitor demographics, including entertainment for children.
In conclusion, these five fundamental elements serve as a robust foundation for any museum design. Collaborating with seasoned building designers and contractors, such as the Cochran Construction Company mentioned in the article, can leverage their expertise to coordinate these elements seamlessly. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of an ideal space where a museum can flourish and cater to its diverse audience effectively.
