World War I Memorial Museum

Saint-Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Saint-Petersburg

Project idea

The World War I Memorial Museum is located on the Baltic Sea coast, west of Kaliningrad. This place is quite popular with residents of nearby settlements: many people go to the coast to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature. Near the memorial museum there are several monuments and war graves, which are also a place of frequently visited. However, the lack of convenient transport infrastructure makes the coast difficult to access. The Memorial Museum establishes and enriches people's connection with the place, making it more accessible. Now people can not only "touch" nature, but also honor the memory of people affected by the war.

Project description

The World War I Memorial Museum is located on the Baltic Sea coast, west of Kaliningrad. This place is quite popular with residents of nearby settlements: many people go to the coast to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature. Near the memorial museum there are several monuments and war graves, which are also a place of frequently visited. However, the lack of convenient transport infrastructure makes the coast difficult to access. The Memorial Museum establishes and enriches people's connection with the place, making it more accessible. Now people can not only "touch" nature, but also honor the memory of people affected by the war.
The form of the memorial museum is organized to diversify the exposition and the walking route of visitors inside and outside, using the exploited roof and the surrounding landscaping for walking. The amphitheater is a part of entire museum composition, it faces the sea and serves as a recreational area. Depending on the location of the entrance to the building, there are several routes. The exhibits and elements tell about the war and its horrors, reminding people of the high price they had to pay for peace. War is a crime against humanity. Some part of the exposition is intentionally illuminated by light openings from above, such a "play of light" will create an unusual tense atmosphere and cause strong emotions among visitors. The accent completion of the exposition route is a recreation area with tables and a large panoramic window through which a view of the Baltic Sea opens. This zone is a place of peace and understanding of the exhibition, and in the philosophical concept— it is a point of fusion of man with nature. The entrance zone of the museum with adjacent service and sales halls is separated from the exposition, at the same time the connection between the exposition and the entrance zone is provided by a communication corridor. The communication corridor can be used as a through passage to the sea through the entire building. By means of the composition of the building, an open courtyard is formed, which is connected to the exhibition part by passages. The courtyard serves as a place of recreation, and the water surface fills almost the entire space. Small artificial water tanks are adjacent to the glazing, creating a mirror effect. The building and the exhibition elements are reflected because of this mirror effect.
The World War I Memorial Museum is located on the Baltic Sea coast, west of Kaliningrad. This place is quite popular with residents of nearby settlements: many people go to the coast to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature. Near the memorial museum there are several monuments and war graves, which are also a place of frequently visited. However, the lack of convenient transport infrastructure makes the coast difficult to access. The Memorial Museum establishes and enriches people's connection with the place, making it more accessible. Now people can not only "touch" nature, but also honor the memory of people affected by the war.
The form of the memorial museum is organized to diversify the exposition and the walking route of visitors inside and outside, using the exploited roof and the surrounding landscaping for walking. The amphitheater is a part of entire museum composition, it faces the sea and serves as a recreational area. Depending on the location of the entrance to the building, there are several routes. The exhibits and elements tell about the war and its horrors, reminding people of the high price they had to pay for peace. War is a crime against humanity. Some part of the exposition is intentionally illuminated by light openings from above, such a "play of light" will create an unusual tense atmosphere and cause strong emotions among visitors. The accent completion of the exposition route is a recreation area with tables and a large panoramic window through which a view of the Baltic Sea opens. This zone is a place of peace and understanding of the exhibition, and in the philosophical concept— it is a point of fusion of man with nature. The entrance zone of the museum with adjacent service and sales halls is separated from the exposition, at the same time the connection between the exposition and the entrance zone is provided by a communication corridor. The communication corridor can be used as a through passage to the sea through the entire building. By means of the composition of the building, an open courtyard is formed, which is connected to the exhibition part by passages. The courtyard serves as a place of recreation, and the water surface fills almost the entire space. Small artificial water tanks are adjacent to the glazing, creating a mirror effect. The building and the exhibition elements are reflected because of this mirror effect.

Technical information

The materials for the memorial museum were glass, metal panels and concrete for interior decoration. The massive metal console contrasts with the transparent lower glass part, thereby achieving the effect of lightness and weightlessness of the console. The console is held by trusses hidden in the wall. The load from the trusses is transmitted down to the columns under the console.
The building area is 3200 m2. The maximum height is 4.5 m. The distance from the memorial museum to Kaliningrad is about 35 km by road, and to nearby settlements is 5-10 km