MIRANDA DE EBRO

The aspiration and ambition is to create an active and dynamic museum, a reference point for the city. To achieve this two key moves are required. One is to create a direct relationship with the river and in so doing with the city. The other is to integrate the existing buildings, landscape and surroundings into a legible and powerful whole.

The river itself is absolutely crucial to the museum. Historically it has been key in the development of the city; symbolically it forms part of the name of the city. For the museum to become a reference point for the city, it needs to have a strong presence to the river, open up to and embrace it.

Formally the museum presents itself to the river in the form of a tower, giving it a strong presence, creating a landmark on the river, visible from both bridges and addressing the scale of the river frontage. It will act as a beacon, attracting people as they cross the bridges over the river or walk up and down the river banks. The tower form also creates a dialogue with the existing villa, between old and new, history and the future, landscape and river.

The main body of gallery spaces acts as a link between the two tower forms, with arms that extend out to the sides, one forming the main entrance and the other extending into the garden. These arms create a series of external spaces that are inextricably linked to the spaces within and also give the perimeter garden wall greater meaning through the contrast and distinct alienation of the new and the old.

dun laoghaire | habitant el mur | irvine | jks workshop phase 3 | miranda | saltcoats | stoke |CAFE IN THE SQUARE | DUMBRECK | father collins park | parc de l'estatut