papalampropoulos’ new cyprus museum in nicosia defies the mono-functional building approach and emerges as an ‘urban artifact’. the evolution of the museum is manifested in a process through which the traditional character is slightly changed into a multi-use complex that attempts to reshape the public space.

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
north entrance to the museum garden

 

 

the design is based upon the necessity of an enclosed program, the museum, and the openness of a green recreational area, the garden, that connects the public space from pedieos river to the old city center. in order to blend these two contradictory types of space, papalampropoulos architecture bureau appropriates the paradigm of ‘walled gardens’ to articulate a coherent urban structure. nicosia’s green area is extended inside the museum site by inserting a grid system in the form of intersecting walls, that shapes enclosures, gardens, and harvests light for the exhibition spaces underneath.

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
museum entrance

 

 

the grid is the symbol of the new urban pattern. a janus arrangement, half museum – half garden, forms the project creating two distinct but equally important sectors shaped by the grid:
a. a lower space for the museum exhibition.
b. an upper performative space for the enclosed gardens — outdoor rooms that can serve as experimental temporary art and archeological exhibition areas.

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
palms’ garden

 

 

the upper part of the complex is dedicated to an experimental public space that forms the core of the proposal. the walls serve as light wells that illuminate the underground exhibition spaces and at the same time are areas that can host public events, contemporary performances, or leisure activities. additionally, the outdoor areas are supplemented with permanent functions such as the cafe, the conference hall, the library, the department of antiquities, and the administration.

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
experimental outdoor room

 

 

the lower part becomes an underground yet naturally illuminated exhibition space, as light becomes the connecting element between the two sectors. the enclosures form distinct thematic rooms, varying with natural light accessibility. for instance, spaces with low natural light are exploited for low light requirement demonstrations, such as, special displays, multimedia, and interactive presentations. these rooms are an inverted space oriented towards the past, resembling the process of memory.

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
permanent exhibition space

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
swedish mission exhibition room

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
exhibition threshold

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
the janus condition – conceptual diagram

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
plans

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
room episodes

papalampropoulos' new museum brings art to life in the cultural district of nicosia
room episodes

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom