London
HOK International

Photography © Peter Durant

A museum gains visibility and purpose in its new home

Program: A natural history museum required a new building to provide public access to and storage for its 22 million zoological specimens. In addition, the existing facility did not provide adequate conditions for the 100 scientists working there. A new museum would represent the first stage in a phased remodeling of several museum buildings on a 23-acre site.

Solution: Designers and engineers worked as a single task force to develop solutions to achieve the client's goals. They created a building comprising three sections—a light-filled lab area located at the front of the building behind the glass facade; cold storage for specimens in the back; and a glazed atrium separating the two areas that allows the public to view the scientists at work and observe the vastness and beauty of the collection. A 122 percent increase in visits signifies the success of the project. As well, the increased visibility of its research has helped the client with fund-raising efforts.

For more images please see the November 2003 issue or Architectural Record.

The Winners: Orange Innovations | Hotel Habita | Sekii Ladies Clinic | Start-Up Offices | Inn at Price Tower | Darwin Centre | Apple SoHo | Stealth/Ogilvy | Gannett/USA Today Corporate Headquarters | ImageNet

The Finalists: Automated Trading Desk Technology Campus | Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery | University of Washington | Herman Miller MarketPlace | Beacon Communications Office | New Academic Complex, Baruch College, CUNY | Mott Children's Center

Unbuilt Projects: Great Harbor Design Center

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