SAN FRANSISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

A fitting destination for cultural pilgrimage.

PROJECT DETAILS

Architect- MARIO BOTTACompleted 1995Site- San FransiscoArea-

NEIGHBOURHOOD

• South of market street, opposite the Yerba buena gardens arts complex

• Occupies a corner of its city block between Third, minna and howard streets

CONCEPT “In todays city, museum plays a role analogous to that of the cathedral of

yesterday.”MARIO BOTTA

Despite its diminutive scale in comparison to the adjacent skyscrapers, Botta’s museum is sufficiently monumental to command its city centre block site.

Building is boldly autonomous• Imposing brick clad blocks recessed to

allow natural light • Composition of stacked and set-back,

heavy brick masses pervades a fortress like aspect to the surrounding streets and buildings

• Solid homogeneity is relieved by patterning of brick work which create subtle variations of light and shadow on monochromatic surface.

BUILDING FORM

Creates a contrast with the surroundings which gives it a monumental feel.

The main attraction is the 41m high chamfered cylindrical funnel clad in black and silver granite floods the 60m high central atrium below with daylight.

Stepped section permits lights to enter internal gallery spaces despite the museums deep plan.

Bridge crossing underneath the skylight provides birds eye view of lobby space below.

SITE PLAN

MINNA St.

PARKING

MUSEUM ENTRY

ENTRY

ZONING & CIRCULATIONFIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

View of atrium landing at fourth floor

Volume of atrium created

SECTIONS SKYLIGHTS

Controlling mechanism

CENTRAL ATRIUM

CHAMFERED TURRET

40m

5m

3.5m

5.5m

3.5m

3.5m

7m

5.5m

Section through fifth floor exhibition galleries. Note skylight providing controlled natural light.

LIGHTING

View of fifth floor exhibition gallery. Note placement of skylight and track lighting.

INTERIOR VIEWS