The existing Woodmere Art Museum is a 19th-century stone mansion and sits on six acres of land. Despite the elaborate pieces of art on the grounds, the museum blends in with its surrounding neighborhood and adds characters to the general area.

 

In a redesign of the museum, I chose to take what the existing Woodmere Museum is doing by fitting into it's surroundings and blending in verses deliberately standing out as an institution. However, where the existing museum in blending in with the surrounding buildings, I chose to blend it in with the topography and allow the charming neighborhood to contribute to the museum in addition to the art it will be housing.

 

An eco driveway camouflages the entrance to the museum and develops into previous brick pavers for easy walking from visitors to the museum. A living wall on the south side of the museum builds up from the terrain to connect with the museum's green roof.  By recessing the museum into the existing topography, this will give the building the illusion of being a single-story structure and not stand higher than the neighboring homes.

 

The showcase exhibits and offices reside on the ground floor with pedestrian access from the existing sidewalks. An overview balcony and full glazed curtain walls wrap around the museum and allow for a complete 360-degree view of the scenic neighborhood surrounding the museum. Sculpted mullions and column shape into trees and branches to reflect the natural beauty of the site and add to the art within the exhibits.

 

Vehicular access on the lower level offers a curved staircase that brings visitors straight to the exhibition halls. Maintenance and storage reside on the lower level for easy access for trucks and work crews that will be on site.