maki and associates conceives bihar museum in india as an interconnected campus
the art institution, which opened in october 2017, houses a variety of treasures as well as a range of event and education spaces.
maki and associates, the firm led by japanese architect fumihiko maki, has completed a major art institution in patna — a city in north eastern india. the bihar museum, which opened in october 2017, houses a variety of treasures from the region, as well as a range of event and education spaces. located on a generous 5.3 hectare plot that runs alongside a major road, the architects conceived the project as an interconnected campus that contains a landscape of buildings and exterior spaces.
the institution is located in patna, a city in north eastern india
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
maki and associates’ design for the bihar museum, which was developed alongside mumbai-based firm opolis, seeks to form an engaging and appropriately-scaled response to the prominent site and a multi-faceted program. each part of the scheme, from the exhibition galleries to the administrative areas, has been given a distinct and recognizable form. ‘these zones are linked together via interior and exterior courtyards and corridors, ensuring that all spaces retain a connection to the surrounding landscape while remaining sheltered and comfortable throughout the year,’ explain the architects.
the institution houses a variety of treasures from the region
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
externally, the structures are predominately clad with durable weathering steel, which complements and contrasts surrounding greenery. according to the architects, the material also symbolizes india’s historical achievements in metallurgy as well as its current prominence within the international steel industry. elements of stone, terracotta, and glass are also found throughout the complex. it is hoped that the campus configuration, and the rich experience offered by the museum and its exhibits, will encourage visitors to return.
the architects conceived the project as an interconnected campus
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
holding off competition from coop himmelb(l)au, foster + partners, snøhetta, and studio libeskind, the design was selected as the winner of an international competition in 2011. the building began construction in june 2013 and was largely complete by october 2017. exhibition installation is ongoing and will be finalized in 2018.
the scheme contains a landscape of buildings and exterior spaces
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
each part of the scheme has been given a distinct and recognizable form
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
the museum seeks to form an engaging and appropriately-scaled response to the site
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
zones are linked together with interior and exterior courtyards and corridors
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
exhibition installation is ongoing and will be finalized in 2018
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
it is hoped that the campus configuration will encourage visitors to return
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
the museum is located on a generous 5.3 hectare plot that runs alongside a major road
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
the complex contains a range of event and education spaces
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
the building began construction in june 2013 and was largely complete by october 2017
image © ariel huber / EDIT images
floor plans illustrating the museum’s configuration and various programs
project info:
name: the bihar museum
location: patna, india
architects: maki and associates (tokyo) in association with opolis (mumbai)
client: department of art, culture, and youth (DACY), government of bihar, india
design team:
maki and associates: fumihiko maki (principal), tomoyoshi fukunaga (director), michel van ackere (associate), tatsutomo hasegawa (associate), hisashi nakai, yoshihiko taira, issei horikoshi, kiwon kim
opolis: rahul gore (principal), sonal sancheti (principal), tejesh patil (project architect), rahul lawhare, swapnil kangankar, akul modi
consultants:
programming / master planning / exhibition design: lord cultural resources (mumbai / toronto)
structural: mahendra raj consultants private limited (new dehli)
MEP: design bureau (mumbai)
landscape: ohtori consultants inc. environmental design institute (osaka), forethought design consultants (pune)
lighting: AWA lighting designers (mumbai / new york)
general contractor: larsen & toubro construction
site area: 53,480 sqm
roof area: 19,716 sqm
built-up area: 25,410 sqm
photography: ariel huber, lausanne
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