‘museum of civilizations [et de l’unite reunionnaise]’ by XTU architects images © platform

 

 

 

the ‘museum of civilizations [et de l’unite reunionnaise]’ by paris based firm XTU architects located in st-paul, la réunion island, france is moving forward. sited on the coast of the indian ocean and within the arid african savanna, this center bridges traffic induced highways and nearby molten lava. to combat the warm climate and dry conditions, a spiraling program arrangement and prevalent openings in the facade allow air to pass though all education, meeting, and gallery spaces. the dynamic circulation paths unwind to reveal views of the nearby city along with unique interior lighting effects to visitors.

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 2 site approach

 

 

 

the exhibition corridors wrap around a central garden and patio named the ‘grand kour’ which is planted with banians, also known as fig trees and other lush tropical vegetation. a combination of periodic misting and the ocean breeze will cool down the interior spaces eliminating the need for air conditioning. maintaining a neutral presence in the landscape, the curtain wall is sheathed with vertical planks of a warm wood and the roof maximizes solar energy with photovoltaic membranes.

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 3 entrance to museum

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 4 exposition area

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 5 garden promenade

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 6 courtyard garden

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 7 lobby in atrium

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 8 gathering space

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 9 education spaces

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 10 exposition area

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 11 auditorium

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 12 video gallery

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 13 interior illuminated at night

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 14 surrounding plaza at night

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 15 site plan

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 16 site plan

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 17 floor plan / level 0

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 18 section

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 19 facade light study

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 20 lighting plan

XTU architects: museum of civilizations - 21 model image © XTU

 

 

project info:

 

name: museum of civilizations [et de l’unite reunionnaise] location: st-paul, la réunion island, france client: réunion governement designer/architect: XTU — anouk legendre + nicolas desmazieres team: amelie busin, guillerme de sa, iliana genova, nicolas jomain, mathias lukacs, guillaume mazars, and joan tarragon expected year of completion: september 2012 program: cultural total floor area: 15.600 m² shon total site area: 48.200 m² cost: 49 m € ttc