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It’s difficult to tell how the Akron Art Museum in Ohio relates to its context. I guess the cantalevered “cloud roof” gestures toward the street and the pyramid glass leans toward the historic brick buildings, but this building is a good example of sensationalistic architecture that fails to find a home for itself. It stands next to an 1899 Italian Renaissance building and a post office. In typical Vienna style, Coop Himmelblau sought to stitch the old and new together in an intimate and dynamic one. On top of this effort, Himmelblau wanted a flowing registry of the urban city as a context for the art inside. Instead of entering a showroom, the visitor achieves a destination point and receives unexpected urban experiences. Transparent materials allow a flexible and public space. With a variety of functions, the project achieves wonderful open spaces and zero natural light in the galleries.
Despite that, I can’t help but think that Akron just wanted to look important. The enormous glazing is impractical and the shapes are wacky. It could be fun to visit, but not to stay. Opened in July 2007. |
(jayson.shenk– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(joevare– flickr/creative commons license)
(featured image by Sleepydre on wikipedia)
