Local Case Studies

National Museum of the Philippines

Location:

The National of Museum of

the Philippines is located in Padre

Burgos drive, Rizal Park, Manila. It is

chosen to be one of the case studies

because like the proposed project, it is

an example of a building that has been

Fig. 32: National Museum of the Philippines
adaptively reused into a museum. Source: asemus.museum
Designer:

The building of the National Museum in Padre Burgos drive in Manila is formerly

known as the Legislative Building of the Philippines which was originally designed by

American Architect, Ralph Harrington Doane, assisted by Filipino, Antonio Toledo. The

building was part of the original plan of Daniel Burnham for Manila and it was planned

to house the National Library. But after years of delay, the original plan for the supposed

national library was changed to accommodate Philippine Legislature thus changing the

interior layout. It was Juan Arellano who did the changes in the plans of the interior.

Throughout the history, the building housed different sects of the government until the
 only one left was the National Museum. Today, the other galleries like

building houses the National Museum of Fine Arts. Gallery I which

was painted with

Summary:
red and showcases

The National Museum’s layout was changed to serve th th

the 17 – 19
the legislature and now, it is back to what it was originally
century religious
designed for. The design of the interior of the building
arts, Gallery VIII
was adapted and was used as something that gives the
which was painted
ambiance for the exhibits. The Hall of the Masters, for
green and is
example, is dedicated to the painters Juan Luna and Felix
showcasing the
Resurreccion Hidalgo who achieved prominence in Saint
Memories of War.
Louis Exposition. The intricate details of the room gives it
And Gallery IV
an atmosphere that works well with what the hall is for.
which is painted
The said details gives grandeur in the hall. Also, with the
orange showing the
help of lighting, the ambiance was further enhanced. The
sculptures by great
use of paints was also incorporated in creating the mood
sculptors. Another
for the room like the National Artist Award room. It was
exhibit of the
painted black contrasting the color of the exterior wall
museum is the
and the other halls in the museum. With the black paint,
Senate Hall. It was
the lighting works better. Other colors are also used in
the same senate

hall that was used before it was converted into the Museum. They reused a part of the building

and used it as one of the attractions.

 Fig.33 : Gallery I Fig. 34: Senate Hall
Source: nationalmuseum.gov.ph Source: Wikipedia.org

The museum’s halls and galleries are connected by a corridor making it easy and

organized when it comes to the circulation of people around the building. There are six

(6) stairs that provides vertical circulation around the building. Two (2) of them are used

as the main staircases.

The National Museum has two (2) open courts as well which they used as mini parks

and place for people to get a chance to mingle. They provided a fountain at the center of

the court and some benches for the visitors to use.

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“Architectural Heritage Museum: An Adaptive Reuse”
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Museum of Natural History

Location:

The building is located in

Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila.

Just like the National Museum of the

Philippines, it is also an adaptive

reuse project that will turn an old

Fig. 35: Museum of Natural History
building to be used as a museum.
Source: domgalicia.com

Designer:

The design for the retrofitting of the old Department of Tourism building was

awarded to the team of Arch. Dominic Galicia with the help of the Interior Designer, Tina

Periquet after the closed competition conducted by the National Museum of the

Philippines. But originally, the old building of the Department of Tourism was designed

by yet another famous architect from the past, Antonio Toledo. Cost:

The Museum of Natural History’s budget for its development is One billion. This

was according to National Museum chair, Ramon del Rosario.

Summary:

Arch. Galicia and Periquet’s approach in redesigning the building was organic and it

blended well with the new use of the building which will showcase the diverse flora and

fauna of our country. The highlight of the new Museum of Natural History will be what

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“Architectural Heritage Museum: An Adaptive Reuse”
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they call “DNA Tree of Life”. It is a dome

that is covering the central court of the

museum. The façade of the building was

retained except of the dome which was the

only element that was added in the building.

The material that is used for the dome is Fig. 36: Concept of the DNA Tree of Life Low-

Emissivity glass which reflects the solar heat. The concept of the DNA Tree of life was

from the golden section which was mirrored. Another concept that was incorporated in

the redevelopment of the building is the use of cross-ventilation. It is achieved by

providing operable windows and the floor to ceiling height of the building also helps in

this process.

Foreign Case Studies

Alvar Aalto Museum

Location:

Alvar Aalto Museum is

located in Alvar Aallon katu 7,

Jyväskylä, Finland. This museum

showcases Alvar Aalto’s life work

in chronological order.
Fig. 37: Alvar Aalto Museum
Designer: Source: larryspeck.com

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 The designer of this building is the same person the museum is named after, Alvar

Aalto. He is a Finnish architect, designer, painter and sculptor. Aalto is considered as a

modern architect during his time. The building was designed during Aalto’s “white

period.”

Summary:

The museum’s façade are clad in light colored ceramic tiles called “halla,” the

Finnish word for Frost. The entrance façade has no windows except from some of the small

openings that are near the door. The doors are made up of copper with a bit of marble in the

left side. The roof area is dominated with east-facing roof lights for natural lighting.

The lower floor contains the foyer and cloakrooms, café, Alvar Aalto Museum Shop,

offices, library and space for storage and for the photographer. There is also a small room

located at the back of the building containing offices and a studio for the museum

workshop 'URBS' which was formerly used by the local society of artists. From the café

there is a view towards a series of open-air pools, with water trickling from one to

another along the route of what was once a natural stream. Light draws one from the

dimly-lit foyer to the stairway leading up to large exhibition gallery on the upper floor

(the alvar aalto museum, n.d.).

2
The upper-floor exhibition gallery is about 700 m in area. The large exhibition hall

houses the museum's permanent exhibition - Alvar Aalto, Architect since it is dedicated to
him. The gallery also exhibits that are related to architecture and design.The Alvar Aalto

2
Museum has a total area of 1750 m .

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 “Architectural Heritage Museum: An Adaptive Reuse”
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There is only one collection that is permanent in the Alvar Aalto Museum and the

rest are temporary exhibits which includes more works of Aalto and some are works of

other people which has points of contact with Aalto’s interests and themes.

Fig. 38: Alvar Aalto Museum Interiors

Source: visitfinland.com

Latvian Museum of Architecture

Location:

The museum is located in Riga,

Latvia. It is found in an old medieval

complex of dwelling houses called “Three

Brothers.” These buildings are

considered as the oldest masonry

Fig. 39: Latvian Museum of Architecture building in Riga.
Source: rigathisweek.lv

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Designer:

The original designer of the building is unknown but it was restored during 1955-

1957 under the supervision of Architect P. Saulitis. The buildings’ façade features Dutch

mannerism.

Summary:

The layout of the first floor is similar to that of the previous buildings. There is a

wide room with large windows above a low hall and some of the rooms are located in the

yard located in the second floor and some are in the attic. There is also a stone portal in

the building that was added in 1746 (Actualities, n.d.).

Fig. 40: Latvian Museum of Architecture floor layout

Source: archmuseum.lv

The building was also established as an effort of heritage conservation and was

converted into a museum. Before, one of the buildings are used as bakery. There is no

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permanent exhibition in the museum today but they have over a thousand of collections

that they can change it monthly.

The interior of the building takes you back during the medieval times because of

the proper use of lighting and materials in the exhibition halls. The well-preserved details

inside also helps create the mood inside the halls.

Fig. 41: Latvian Museum of Architecture Interiors

Source: studiokopp.com

Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Museum

Location:

This is a complex located in Tokyo, Japan.

This complex has different buildings inside it.

Fig. 42: Edo-Tokyo Open-air Museum

Source: Wikipedia.org

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Designer:

There is no recorded designer of this museum but it was an effort to preserve

Japanese cultural heritage and was established in the year 1993.

Summary:

The Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Museum, as its name suggest, is a large complex of

exhibits that shows the architectural heritage of Japan. The exhibits itself are the buildings

that are inside the complex along with other outdoor exhibits. The whole complex is divided

into three (3) zones which are the west zone, center zone and the east zone.

Fig. 43: Edo-Tokyo Open-air Museum Map

Source: tatemonoen.jp

According to their website, their exhibits includes livelihood related exhibits and

those that are related in town planning. Through this displays, the record of how the

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Japanese developed their cities can be understood easily. And since the displays inside the

complex are houses itself, it can be

considered as life sized and people

appreciate it better because they can

interact with the exhibits (Edo-Tokyo Open

Air Architectural Museum, n.d.).

Fig. 44: One of the museum’s building inside.

Source: asliceoftokyo.wordpress

Significance of the Case Studies

The case studies that were mentioned provides concepts and ideas that can be

applied in the process of designing the proposed project. The case studies also provides

data that could be helpful for the project. Local case studies helps by providing the

approach in designing with regard to the local setting. The National Museum shows what

approach could be use in terms of creating the atmosphere of the room when it comes to

the displays and exhibits. The Museum of Natural History, on the other hand, provided an

idea to create architectural elements that both answers aesthetics and function.

The Foreign Case studies presented ideas of what kinds of exhibits could be

introduced in the museum. Proper exhibition and displays helps ensuring that the users of

the museum will learn something from their own experience in the museum.

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 Objectives of the Case Studies

Conducting case studies aims to provide ideas and concepts that can be

incorporated in the design of the project. The case studies that are chosen should be able to

help the designer formulate the best strategies so as to create good plan and design for the

project so that its users will be given the quality service that they deserve.

Analytical Framework

Apply the techniques used in lighting

and paint in creating the ambiance for
the hall/rooms in the museum.
Application of the use of life-sized
exhibits to give the users chance to
interact with the displays which in turn
help in the process of learning.

Presents ideas that could be used in the

process of designing the project so as
to provide the best experience of the
users in different aspects especially in
learning.

Application of techniques from the

case study can help improve the users’
learning experience.

Fig. 45: Analytical Framework

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Description and comparative analysis of the cases

Parameters National Museum Museum of Natural Foreign Case
of the Philippines History Studies: Alvar
Aalto Museum,
Latvian Museum of
Architecture &
Edo-Tokyo Open-
Air Museum
Exhibits The exhibits in the The Museum of From the foreign
National Museum Natural History’s case studies, their
go well with the concept of making exhibits are varied.
elements that are in it organic also Alvar Aalto and the
the museum. The blends with the Latvian Museum
age of the Museum exhibits that will be has one thing in
complements its featured which are common which I
displays and the flora and fauna they both have
exhibits. of the Philippines. impermanent
displays and
exhibits. The Edo
Tokyo Museum, on
the other hand, has
life-sized exhibits.
Circulation The circulation for The circulation of Unlike the local
the National the museum is also studies, the
Museum is connected with museums for the
organized with a corridors and stairs foreign studies
single hallway that but the new design presents no
takes the users to was incorporated organized
every room in every with an elevator as circulation plan to
floor. Also, there a mean to get to the move around the
six (6) stairs which last floor. museum.
provide vertical
circulation.
Adaptive Reuse It is a good It is also a good Among the three,
example of example of there are only two
adaptive reuse not adaptive reuse buildings that used
only on the exterior especially the adaptive reuse
part but also design of adding which was the
reusing the old modern elements Latvian Museum
elements of the that did not and Edo-Tokyo.
building. compromise the Both preserved the
façade. old buildings.

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Techniques and Use of old details Incorporating new Also used lighting
Concepts and lighting and elements that as a medium to
paint. blended with the create the ambiance
theme but while the visitors
preserved the are roaming the
integrity of the museum.
building.
Space for The courts can be The central Among the three,
socialization used as a place for courtyard is the Edo-Tokyo
interaction among converted into a museum has the
the visitors. space where people biggest chance to
have the chance to make its visitors
interact as well. interact with a large
space inside the
complex.

Recommendation for applications

The use of paint could be used in the project but in a different way. The paint could

be used in depicting exhibits that cannot be shown physically. This would be an

economical way to represent the history of architecture in the Philippines especially those

buildings that are significant but no longer exist. The use of lighting shall also be

considered in designing the proposed project. With the help of the lighting, the mood in a

room could be altered and could help in preparing the psychological thinking of the users

when it comes to viewing the exhibits. Also, the use of recycled materials shall also be

one of the implications of the proposal. Maintaining the elements of the building shall

also help in the promotion of the awareness of the architectural heritage. Keeping a room

that would show the interior of the Post office itself would also be considered.

Development of a place for interaction could also mean sharing of thoughts about

the museum which is another way for learning.

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