The Museum of Light

Kuban State University

Project idea

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT is located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, on the north coast of Manama. This project is the first museum where the light will be the main instrument of the exhibition. Here you can see the most incredible examples of the play of light, natural and artificial. This is a labyrinth museum where everyone can make their own exposure route.
The project integrated this idea into the exterior of the building: the fragmentation of the facade structure, the difference in height and size, and, ultimately, an integrated ensemble of individual elements are implemented within the environment. No matter how fragmented the facade, inside the museum is logically structured and organized for each group of visitors.

Project description

The museum is designed so that it feels like it is growing out of the water. First you go through a long open corridor leading under the water. Then you find yourself in a vast space into which light penetrates only through light wells. The exhibition halls, in turn, are located above the water, as if floating on the surface, interconnected by narrow bridges.
Many rooms with a specific function were provided, for example, a research center, a storage facility, prayer rooms, an administration and a radio center, a library and a lecture hall, etc. This allows us to resolve the issue of the use of space as a multipurpose volume.

Technical information

The museum is located on the bulk island, the territory of which is equipped with breakwaters.
The structural skeleton of the building is made of reinforced concrete. Since the building has direct contact with an aggressive environment - with sea water - appropriate measures should be taken to protect structures and coatings from destruction. To this project is attached a drawing of the structural part for coupling the facade with water, the necessary measures for waterproofing.
The facade of the building is a hinged facade of white porcelain stoneware, which has water-repellent properties. Reflecting sunlight, it creates the feeling that the building itself emits light.

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