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The architects Niels Bruun and
Henrik Corfitsen have described the Nordic Watercolour
Museum as follows:
The Building and the Landscape
The museum is located at the point of contact between
sea and landscape, in a longish building which from
the water appears simple but nevertheless striking in
view of the impressive rock formations behind it. From
inland the museum appears to consist of small units
like the other buildings along the water's edge, and
its position takes account of access to the bathing
places and the view over the skerries. It was
essential to place the museum clear of the rocky
cliffs so as to provide accessibility both to the
museum and to the bathing places nearby. The site
chosen establishes an open and natural relationship
between building, landscape and sea.
The building is designed with a shifting and varied
facade beneath a unifying roof. In contrast to the
strict form of the main building, the external studios
are individually sited small elements scattered over
Bockholmen island in the shelter of the cliffs. The
museum and the five studios are linked by a narrow
bridge.
Approaches and Open Spaces
Signs directing visitors to the museum should, it is
proposed, be in the form of identical pillars, visible
one from another. These large signposts can be sited
in the approaches to the area, at the point of arrival
and at the museum entrance. The route to be followed
can be indicated by a guideline in the paving.
The space between the museum and the cliffs behind it
should be so arranged that visitors are led naturally
to the main entrance. Out of respect for other
activities in the vicinity and the access situation in
general, the present planning arrangement is to be
retained but in a more structured form, with the
parking area defined by a low wall surrounding the
40-odd places. Approach roads and turning points are
to be asphalted, pedestrian paths stone paved.
At the area of transition between the cliffs and the
parking area low bushes will be planted along a path
linking the parking and bathing areas and also giving
access to the cliffs above. Along the water's edge all
the way in front of the museum, the existing jetty by
the conference centre and the shops will be extended.
The jetty provides an open promenade along the
waterside, and offers mooring facilities for sailing
boats and other small craft planning to visit the
museum and the museum restaurant.
Building Construction
The museum is a two-storey building with rooms of
varying size depending on function; thus rooms of
normal height alternate with rooms of twice the
height. There are two public entrances - of equal
importance - to the museum foyer, one on the land side
and the other from the water. A separate entrance to
the restaurant is also possible.
The foyer is located and designed as the contact area
for all the public spaces. From this point visitors
will have no difficulty in tracing the building's
various activities, and from the reception a good
overview can be maintained. From the foyer there are
separate entrances to the exhibition galleries, to the
assembly hall and to the restaurant, allowing each of
these to function independently.
All the public functions - the exhibition galleries,
the assembly hall and the restaurant - are on the
ground floor. Administrative offices and study rooms
are mainly on the floor above, as are the locales for
'Gul scen' ('Yellow Stage').
Exhibition Galleries
The exhibition galleries and the assembly hall are
linked, permitting the assembly hall to be called upon
for large exhibitions. Galleries for both temporary
and permanent exhibitions have been designed to
minimise encroachments on exhibition space.
The Nordic rooms adjoin the room for temporary
exhibitions and are designed in the form of 'cabins'
functioning either singly or two or more together.
From the temporary gallery you reach the children's
studio via a room for children's illustrations.
There is no direct sunlight in the exhibition
galleries. In both the permanent and temporary
exhibition galleries the window space faces the water,
shielded from the light by adjustable vertical panels
which can be closed completely.
In the temporary exhibition gallery there is also a
line of windows, placed high up, admitting diffused
light. And to take full advantage of the splendid view
there are large window spaces in the linking sections
between the various parts of the museum.
Administration
The area in front of the building provides access and
entry to the caretaker's office, located in a separate
section with workshop, technical facilities and
storage space. The museum administration has offices
directly above and - located over the permanent
exhibition gallery - laboratory and conservation
facilities.
Study Rooms
Alongside the laboratory and also located above the
gallery for permanent exhibitions is the watercolour
archive. The museum studios and the experimental
workshop are linked and sited so as to be usable
independently of the museum's other activities.
The library and conference room are located on the
east side of the building, above the entry foyer.
Assembly Hall
This room has been given a distinct design, marking it
off from the rest of the building. The public entrance
is by means of a large glassed space fronting the
water. Performing staff enter by stairs from the
restaurant.
The Restaurant
The museum restaurant faces south near the bathing
area and enjoys a view over the islands. The facade of
the restaurant is recessed to allow outdoor seating
along the jetty.
The Jury's Verdict:
"The proposal has a pleasing simplicity," was the view
of the jury. "The building is sited along the water's
edge and partially out in the water; the encroachment
on the surrounding countryside has been reduced to a
minimum." The winning proposal is characterised by "an
independent and professional approach to use of
traditional building materials," and the design blends
well with the existing buildings in the proximity.
Moreover the jury were of the opinion that siting the
guest studios on the island of Bockholmen, across the
narrow sound, "creates a link across the channel thus
ensuring that the watercolour museum is an integral
part in this spatial arrangement." The museum will be
joined to the guest studios by a pedestrian bridge.
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