PROJECT LOT SIZE BUILDING SIZE PROJECT TYPE LOCATION BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART 5 ACRES 20,000 SQFT CIVIC // MUSEUM BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA INSPIRATION This building s venerable location on a highly prominent downtown corner meant that it couldn t follow a traditional design approach - people wanted something special! The architect responded by inventing design solutions that allowed the use of maximum glazing and natural light. Responds to Light The museum interacts with natural light by responding as the light changes; so at night it glows, during the day it is transparent. As the sun moves around the building, louvers shift automatically, responding to the location and intensity of the sun in the sky. This potentially makes the building appear differently from one hour to the next. PROBLEM SOLVING Eludes white box effect. The risk of direct sunlight damaging artwork is prevented through the installation of curved baffled light shelves that float beneath the skylights; louvers control sun exposure and skylights on the upper gallery transform throughout the day in response to the amount of light streaming through the windows. SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION Community Ownership The citizen outreach plan went above and beyond expectations to achieve critical acceptance of the museum within the tightknit community. Welcoming Beacon The museum is illuminated at night so that it becomes a beacon visible from multiple vantages. Driving off the ferry boat in the evening this beacon draws visitors in like a glowing lantern. ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY Innovative design solutions allowed the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) to pursue LEED Gold designation (pending), proving that museums can be sustainable. Cost savings from energy reduction allows for free entry. Hundreds of tires, washing machines, dryers and random junk were found and recycled, when the one-time salvage yard and parking lot was excavated to make way for the museum. BIMA s striking curved form is a design element attributed in part to the local community. BIMA was a truely collaborative effort in which the architects and community worked together to create this success story. Consequently the final design is more avantgarde than anticipated and the community takes ownership and is proud of their museum. Economic and Social Vibrancy Visitors to BIMA have exceeded projections by over 100 percent, bringing a renewed vibrancy and economic boom to the downtown core. In 2015 Fodor s Travel named BIMA one of the Fifteen Best Small Town Museums in the Country.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA
Closed Position: Direct daylight is deflected 85 Open Position: Diffused daylight illuminates the museum RESPONDS TO DAYLIGHT Automatic louvers fitted with daylight sensors respond to the sun s intensity. To offset heat gain, these curved louvers wrap around the exterior to block direct sunlight and provide ample shade for the artwork. On overcast days the louvers will open allowing an abundance of pleasing ambient light.
CHALLENGING GRAVITY The curved interior wall floats 24 inches above the floor. This allows those on the outside to view the feet of visitors moving around creating curiosity for what is happening on the inside. This ribbon of glass also allows more daylight to enter the main gallery.
Linear skylight Curved light diffuser Automated exterior louvers Gallery Gallery ELUDING WHITE BOX EFFECT The controlled admission of daylight has been achieved through employing three different strategies. These strategies include exterior louvers with daylight sensors on the southwest side; central light wells with curved baffled light shelves and translucent glazing on northeast walls.
NATURALLY ILLUMINATED ARTWORK On the uppermost level of the building, risk of direct sunlight damaging any artwork is mitigated through the installation of curved light shelves that float underneath the three skylights diffusing light as it bounces and disperses to create an evenly, diffused illumination of the space.
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP The architect presented twelve models at an open house and invited community members to comment and vote for their favorite designs. The most popular of the designs was an option that featured a sweeping curve. Elements from that model and others were combined to create the final version.
Art Museum HYWY 305 Downtown Auditorium 5 min walk To museum Ferry Terminal Ferry To Seattle Kitchen Exterior Seating Cafe Children s Gallery Bainbridge Island Museum Vicinity Map Entry Lobby Orientation Entry Plaza Retail Permanent Gallery State Highway 305 Winslow Way PRIME LOCATION The building s location on a highly prominent downtown corner acts as an economic anchor for other local independent businesses. The museum is easily accessible to foot traffic from the Seattle Ferry and downtown restaurants and shops.
EXTERIOR FEATURES Washington-Made Solar Panels Solar Orientation and Automated Sun Louvers Living Wall Green Roof & Patio INTERIOR FEATURES Denim Insulation Waterless Urinals Low-Flow Plumbing FSC Certified Cabinetry & Wood Flooring Low VOC Paints & Glues FSC Certified Wood Siding Geothermal Heating System Xeriscaping PURSUING LEED GOLD LEED Gold standards were implemented in the design. To maintain the tolerances demanded by a museum environment, sun shading and a 14-well geothermal heat-exchange system coupled with water source heat pumps results in a highly efficient mechanical system, worthy of LEED Gold.
ARRIVAL BEACON The south facade of the building has a skin that is comprised of 28 tall curved glass, allowing pedestrians a transparent view into the museum. The museum, when illuminated, glows at night and is visible from multiple vantages; an arrival beacon that welcomes all passersby.
ART ALWAYS VISIBLE When the sun is shines brightly, and the louvers are closed, visitors can spy the word ART subtly evident on the louvers. This feature playfully reminds us of the building s main purpose.