MARIE PERRIELLO
Furniture Museum
December 2014
When thinking about the layout of my 20th century furniture museum, I thought about a visitor’s ability to compare and contrast exhibits during their journey through the space. Many people can’t clearly remember the details of previously viewed spaces as they progress further through the display areas. These thoughts lead me to create a very open space where one could focus upon a single display, but also look around them to recall what they have already explored.
My first challenge in unifying my space was creating a visual link between the first and second floors of the structure. By constructing a second floor that was open to below on three sides, I provided viewers with the option to look down from the second floor to the first floor to revisit exhibits that they had previously toured.
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Providing an open environment within a single floor was just as important to my design as visually connecting multiple floors to each other. I was inspired by the open concept designs of furniture showrooms. Designing a space where each individual piece of furniture could stand without getting lost among other exhibit pieces was key to achieving an open concept. I used various platform heights, partial walls, and changes in material to give each furnishing a unique identity within the space.
Lastly, I faced the challenge of not letting the details of the building distract visitors from the contents of the exhibits. By using neutral colors and materials, clean lines, and minimalistic, modern finishes, I was able to focus the viewer’s attention on the furniture.
Programs Used: Google Sketchup, Adobe Photoshop