“ This proposal for the New Contemporary Art Museum (NCAM) in Buenos Aires embodies the city’s dynamic cultural vibrancy. The building sits along the Rio de la Plata, plugging into the internationally influenced urban context as an architectural artefact representing the city itself.
The design provides various exhibition and gathering spaces for both programmed and passive interaction between local visitors, tourist and the various exhibits of architecture, painting, sculpture, fashion and textiles. Two such external spaces activate the site and enhance the Puerto Madero waterfront promenade experience. By recessing the corners of the East façade a plaza is created to the South and an amphitheatre to the North.
A large framed opening in the North elevation holds a dual-direction stage linking the interior auditorium with the exterior amphitheatre. Large retractable panel doors enable performances for visitors located inside, outside or both simultaneously. A second exterior gallery and entry portal is created by lifting the central portion of the building mass. This covered multipurpose space connects the East and West areas of the site, activating circulation around the building and framing the view to the canal.
A linear lighting design integrated with the underside of the building to signal the entry and illuminate this area for evening events. The light beneath the form allows the building to stand as a beacon along the promenade. From beneath the building visitors enter into a four-story atrium which acts as the vertical spine connecting the exhibition spaces above. To the North and South of the atrium are three levels of single and double height galleries.
Minimal walls create variable separation of the spaces, catering to the requirements of the curators. The open atrium is traversed by a walkway gallery along the west façade, connecting the two ends of the building. The top of the atrium space is punctuated by a large café which provides views to the various galleries below. A panelised façade composed of primary frames and secondary filler panels washes the internal spaces with varied quantities of natural light.
By altering the proportions of solid to glazing within the filler panels the façade opens to provide a large amount of light to the atrium and closes near the galleries where moderate and indirect light is best. With the longer facades of the building facing East and West the skin receives large amounts of solar radiation. Therefore, the secondary panels are positioned within the primary frame to provide deep reveals in these trouble areas. The diagrid frame system serves as shading devices to mitigate solar heat gain.
Low e-glazing provides additional protection and moderates the amount of cooling or heating required for the building. The roof of the building takes advantage of the orientation through the use of a flush mounted solar panel roof. Large chamfer surfaces running the length of the building orientate portion of the panels towards the morning and evening sun maximizing the angle of incidence and increase the efficiency of the panels.
The NCAM Buenos Aires is a remarkable venue which presents itself as a participant in the current architectural movement of the region, connecting to the context and becoming the canvas upon which the contemporary arts will continue to redefine the now and future.” Description of architect Łukasz Wawrzeńczyk.
Location: Buenos Aires, ArgentinaArchitects: Frisly Colop Morales, Jason Easter, Lukasz WawrzenczykArea: 6900 sqmClient: AC-CAYear: 2012