WELCOME~
“The Obligation of the Difficult Whole”
University of California, Berkeley
Spring 2016
Instructor: Susan Ubbelohde
Legion of Honor sits on a beautiful hill inside Lincoln Park, with a splendid view towards the city and golden gate bridge. The building itself is a replica of a classic Parisian building, It is said to be the most beautiful museum in San Francisco.
As a replica, the question of context raises for me as the original one in Paris was located in a dense urban area, it makes sense for the building to have enclosed and introverted gesture. However, for this one in San Francisco, it is a pity to lock itself against the breathtaking surroundings.
An earlier option with an even more dramatic approach- by creating a berm around the two wings of the existing museum(the walls on that two wing were criticized for lack of opening and variation ), guiding visitors to the rooftop terrace.
The addition of the museum aims to provide the “secluded” old museum parts an opportunity to look outwards and enjoy the beautiful surrounding and views of the golden gate bridge. A giant platform act as the new entry lobby and the cafeteria is added on top of the original roof. An iconic undulating and transparent roof is then put on top of that, lighten the cumbersome and rigidity of the old building, make it flow along with the mountainous landscape.
1. The original roof of the museum was removed, and a concrete platform will be overlayed on top of the gallery space, create a slot of space in between for lighting.
2. The giant rooftop space will be used as a sculpture garden, view terrace, cafeteria, lobby, and special event space.
3. New corridor space inside the gallery offers a new perspective onto the artworks, also connect and guide people from the roof down into the galleries.
4. New Staircase will be extended from the original one(leading down to the basement) to connect multiple levels together
5. A reverse funnel structure rise from the concrete platform to support the roof, also lead light down into the new “courtyard” gallery
6.Glazing towards the top of the ceiling diffuse the light to other gallery rooms close by, also add a visual connection with the 2nd mezzanine level
7. The new mezzanine level would become a bookstore and souvenir shop
8.The concrete platform will be a waffle structure to make the curvature possible, major beams will be aligned with original walls down below
9.The undulating roof veiled and shaded the terrace
