BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART PROJECT
PROJECT BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART LOT SIZE BUILDING SIZE PROJECT TYPE LOCATION
5 ACRES 20,000 SQFT CIVIC // MUSEUM BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA INSPIRATION
PROBLEM SOLVING
This building’s venerable location on a highly prominent downtown corner meant that it couldn’t follow a traditional design approach - people wanted something special! The architect responded by inventing design solutions that allowed the use of maximum glazing and natural light.
Eludes “white box” effect. The risk of direct sunlight damaging artwork is prevented through the installation of curved baffled light shelves that float beneath the skylights; louvers control sun exposure and skylights on the upper gallery transform throughout the day in response to the amount of light streaming through the windows.
Responds to Light The museum interacts with natural light by responding as the light changes; so at night it glows, during the day it is transparent. As the sun moves around the building, louvers shift automatically, responding to the location and intensity of the sun in the sky. This potentially makes the building appear differently from one hour to the next. Welcoming Beacon The museum is illuminated at night so that it becomes a beacon visible from multiple vantages. Driving off the ferry boat in the evening this beacon draws visitors in like a glowing lantern.
ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY Innovative design solutions allowed the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) to pursue LEED Gold designation (pending), proving that museums can be sustainable. Cost savings from energy reduction allows for free entry. Hundreds of tires, washing machines, dryers and random junk were found and recycled, when the one-time salvage yard and parking lot was excavated to make way for the museum.
SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION Community Ownership The citizen outreach plan went above and beyond expectations to achieve critical acceptance of the museum within the tightknit community. BIMA’s striking curved form is a design element attributed in part to the local community. BIMA was a truely collaborative effort in which the architects and community worked together to create this success story. Consequently the final design is more avantgarde than anticipated and the community takes ownership and is proud of their museum. Economic and Social Vibrancy Visitors to BIMA have exceeded projections by over 100 percent, bringing a renewed vibrancy and economic boom to the downtown core. In 2015 Fodor’s Travel named BIMA one of the Fifteen Best Small Town Museums in the Country.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA
85
°
Closed Position: D i re c t d ay l i g h t i s deflected
Open Position: D i f f u s e d d ay l i g h t illuminates the museum
RESPONDS TO DAYLIGHT
Automatic louvers fitted with daylight sensors respond to the sun’s intensity. To offset heat gain, these curved louvers wrap around the exterior to block direct sunlight and provide ample shade for the artwork. On overcast days the louvers will open allowing an abundance of pleasing ambient light.
CHALLENGING GRAVITY
The curved interior wall floats 24 inches above the floor. This allows those on the outside to view the feet of visitors moving around – creating curiosity for what is happening on the inside. This ribbon of glass also allows more daylight to enter the main gallery.
L i n e a r s ky l i g h t
C u r ve d l i g h t d i f f u s e r
Gallery
ELUDING “WHITE BOX” EFFECT
Au to m a te d exte r i o r l o u ve r s
Gallery
The controlled admission of daylight has been achieved through employing three different strategies. These strategies include exterior louvers with daylight sensors on the southwest side; central light wells with curved baffled light shelves and translucent glazing on northeast walls.
NATURALLY ILLUMINATED ARTWORK
On the uppermost level of the building, risk of direct sunlight damaging any artwork is mitigated through the installation of curved light shelves that float underneath the three skylights diffusing light as it bounces and disperses to create an evenly, diffused illumination of the space.
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
The architect presented twelve models at an open house and invited community members to comment and vote for their favorite designs. The most popular of the designs was an option that featured a sweeping curve. Elements from that model and others were combined to create the final version.
HYWY 305
Art Museum Downtown
Auditorium
5m To
mu
se
in
wa
um
lk
Ferry Terminal
Fer
oS ry T
eatt
le
Kitchen Cafe
Exterior Seating
Bainbridge Island Museum Vicinity Map
Children’s Gallery Orientation
Retail Entry Plaza
Permanent Gallery
St ate Highway 305
Entry Lobby
W i nsl ow Way
PRIME LOCATION
The building’s location on a highly prominent downtown corner acts as an economic anchor for other local independent businesses. The museum is easily accessible to foot traffic from the Seattle Ferry and downtown restaurants and shops.
INTERIOR FEATURES
EXTERIOR FEATURES Washington-Made Solar Panels Solar Orientation and Automated Sun Louvers
Denim Insulation Waterless Urinals Low-Flow Plumbing
Living Wall FSC Certified Cabinetry & Wood Flooring
Green Roof & Patio
Low VOC Paints & Glues
FSC Certified Wood Siding
Geothermal Heating System
Xeriscaping
PURSUING LEED GOLD
LEED Gold standards were implemented in the design. To maintain the tolerances demanded by a museum environment, sun shading and a 14-well geothermal heat-exchange system coupled with water source heat pumps results in a highly efficient mechanical system, worthy of LEED Gold.
ARRIVAL BEACON
The south facade of the building has a skin that is comprised of 28’ tall curved glass, allowing pedestrians a transparent view into the museum. The museum, when illuminated, glows at night and is visible from multiple vantages; an arrival beacon that welcomes all passersby.
“ART” ALWAYS VISIBLE
When the sun is shines brightly, and the louvers are closed, visitors can spy the word “ART” subtly evident on the louvers. This feature playfully reminds us of the building’s main purpose.
5 ACRES 20,000 SQFT CIVIC // MUSEUM BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA INSPIRATION
PROBLEM SOLVING
This building’s venerable location on a highly prominent downtown corner meant that it couldn’t follow a traditional design approach - people wanted something special! The architect responded by inventing design solutions that allowed the use of maximum glazing and natural light.
Eludes “white box” effect. The risk of direct sunlight damaging artwork is prevented through the installation of curved baffled light shelves that float beneath the skylights; louvers control sun exposure and skylights on the upper gallery transform throughout the day in response to the amount of light streaming through the windows.
Responds to Light The museum interacts with natural light by responding as the light changes; so at night it glows, during the day it is transparent. As the sun moves around the building, louvers shift automatically, responding to the location and intensity of the sun in the sky. This potentially makes the building appear differently from one hour to the next. Welcoming Beacon The museum is illuminated at night so that it becomes a beacon visible from multiple vantages. Driving off the ferry boat in the evening this beacon draws visitors in like a glowing lantern.
ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY Innovative design solutions allowed the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) to pursue LEED Gold designation (pending), proving that museums can be sustainable. Cost savings from energy reduction allows for free entry. Hundreds of tires, washing machines, dryers and random junk were found and recycled, when the one-time salvage yard and parking lot was excavated to make way for the museum.
SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION Community Ownership The citizen outreach plan went above and beyond expectations to achieve critical acceptance of the museum within the tightknit community. BIMA’s striking curved form is a design element attributed in part to the local community. BIMA was a truely collaborative effort in which the architects and community worked together to create this success story. Consequently the final design is more avantgarde than anticipated and the community takes ownership and is proud of their museum. Economic and Social Vibrancy Visitors to BIMA have exceeded projections by over 100 percent, bringing a renewed vibrancy and economic boom to the downtown core. In 2015 Fodor’s Travel named BIMA one of the Fifteen Best Small Town Museums in the Country.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA
85
°
Closed Position: D i re c t d ay l i g h t i s deflected
Open Position: D i f f u s e d d ay l i g h t illuminates the museum
RESPONDS TO DAYLIGHT
Automatic louvers fitted with daylight sensors respond to the sun’s intensity. To offset heat gain, these curved louvers wrap around the exterior to block direct sunlight and provide ample shade for the artwork. On overcast days the louvers will open allowing an abundance of pleasing ambient light.
CHALLENGING GRAVITY
The curved interior wall floats 24 inches above the floor. This allows those on the outside to view the feet of visitors moving around – creating curiosity for what is happening on the inside. This ribbon of glass also allows more daylight to enter the main gallery.
L i n e a r s ky l i g h t
C u r ve d l i g h t d i f f u s e r
Gallery
ELUDING “WHITE BOX” EFFECT
Au to m a te d exte r i o r l o u ve r s
Gallery
The controlled admission of daylight has been achieved through employing three different strategies. These strategies include exterior louvers with daylight sensors on the southwest side; central light wells with curved baffled light shelves and translucent glazing on northeast walls.
NATURALLY ILLUMINATED ARTWORK
On the uppermost level of the building, risk of direct sunlight damaging any artwork is mitigated through the installation of curved light shelves that float underneath the three skylights diffusing light as it bounces and disperses to create an evenly, diffused illumination of the space.
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
The architect presented twelve models at an open house and invited community members to comment and vote for their favorite designs. The most popular of the designs was an option that featured a sweeping curve. Elements from that model and others were combined to create the final version.
HYWY 305
Art Museum Downtown
Auditorium
5m To
mu
se
in
wa
um
lk
Ferry Terminal
Fer
oS ry T
eatt
le
Kitchen Cafe
Exterior Seating
Bainbridge Island Museum Vicinity Map
Children’s Gallery Orientation
Retail Entry Plaza
Permanent Gallery
St ate Highway 305
Entry Lobby
W i nsl ow Way
PRIME LOCATION
The building’s location on a highly prominent downtown corner acts as an economic anchor for other local independent businesses. The museum is easily accessible to foot traffic from the Seattle Ferry and downtown restaurants and shops.
INTERIOR FEATURES
EXTERIOR FEATURES Washington-Made Solar Panels Solar Orientation and Automated Sun Louvers
Denim Insulation Waterless Urinals Low-Flow Plumbing
Living Wall FSC Certified Cabinetry & Wood Flooring
Green Roof & Patio
Low VOC Paints & Glues
FSC Certified Wood Siding
Geothermal Heating System
Xeriscaping
PURSUING LEED GOLD
LEED Gold standards were implemented in the design. To maintain the tolerances demanded by a museum environment, sun shading and a 14-well geothermal heat-exchange system coupled with water source heat pumps results in a highly efficient mechanical system, worthy of LEED Gold.
ARRIVAL BEACON
The south facade of the building has a skin that is comprised of 28’ tall curved glass, allowing pedestrians a transparent view into the museum. The museum, when illuminated, glows at night and is visible from multiple vantages; an arrival beacon that welcomes all passersby.
“ART” ALWAYS VISIBLE
When the sun is shines brightly, and the louvers are closed, visitors can spy the word “ART” subtly evident on the louvers. This feature playfully reminds us of the building’s main purpose.
