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Natural History Museum – London
What Is Dippy Telling Us?
Dr. Wang QiDepartment of the Built
Environment
From Bloomsbury to South Kensington (1856-1883)
“I love Bloomsbury much but I love five acres more.”
Opened to the public in 1881 Richard Owen’s sketches in 1859,
1862 Influence in competition The first commissioner of work –William Cowper
Francis Fowke, 1864
Robert Kerr, 1864
From Drawings on the Paper to the Mansion of Nature
1866, Alfred Waterhouse Thames Embankment Project,
1869The first commissioner of wrok –Henry Layard Thomas Huxley’s sketch, 1869
From Drawings on the Paper to the Mansion of Nature
1871, Final DesignThe first commissioner of wrok
–A.S. Ayrton
From Drawings on the Paper to the Mansion of Nature
Question Who does control the design in Museum
Project, Architects , Curators or Officers?
From Drawings on the Paper to the Mansion of Nature
The Language of Architecture Space, Sculpture, Relief and Fresco
The Language of Architecture Criticism
Nature ,16th Nov. 1882 – The first point which strikes a visitor at the present time is that a series mistake has been made in the erection of a building with such elaborate and ornate internal decorations for museum purposes.It is clear that the form, position, and illumination of the cases has in many instances been sacrificed to a fear of interfering with the general architectural effect…Again and again we find massive columns, beautiful in themselves perhaps, breaking up a line of cases, or throwing their contents into deep shade.
The Language of Architecture
Question Is it a right language for museum? Has it
talked too much or lost its tongue?
The Contradiction in the Plan Evolution or Creation?
The Contradiction in the Plan Evolution or Creation?
Question Is it necessary to design a circulation to
guide visitors in universal museums? Confused? Clear?
The Contradiction in Display Paleontology display
Central hall East wing West wing
The Contradiction in Display Paleontology display
Central hall East wing West wing
Question Do the different styles of display contrast
(weaken) or harmonize (enrich) the exhibition?
An education centre? A theme park?
An ceaselessly Extended World of Natural History
1970s – 1990s merge on the east wing and the Geology Department (modernism)
21st century extension on the west wing – the Darwin Centre (contemporary and sustainable)
An ceaselessly Extended World of Natural History
Criticism of the Darwin Centre
'There were many fascinating elements to explore: the sheer size of this valuable collection; the complexity of the scientists' working environment, and their relationship to this collection - all bound together by the very contemporary concept of allowing the public to see behind the scenes. In the cocoon building, the boundaries between the inner and outer worlds of scientific research are blurred and we have achieved a transparency... without interrupting the work in progress.' ---- Anna Maria Indrio, partner in charge, C F Møller Architects.
Thank You Very Much!
