NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

DESIGN | SPRING '13

Located in downtown Austin, this project seeks to engage its site, interconnect with the existing landscape and energize the pedestrian experience. Rather than the traditional museum experience this building strives to allow constant interaction between interior visitors, exhibits and exterior visitors or pedestrians.

The undulating roofs merge into the sloping landscape in one continuous experience. It provides alternative views into the exhibits, areas for inhabitation, performance, allows daylight to stream into the museum, and natural ventilation when needed. The green roofs in these curves additionally have thermal benefits and allow for water collection.

Using a tectonic and stereotomic premise, the building uses concrete and wood systematically to depict the carved out areas of the site or the lightweight, added elements. Curves are divided into a set of mathematically derived curves, and columns are placed at the inflection points of these curves ensuring optimal performance.