Within the field of architecture, there is an intriguing subfield that explores experience more than just form and function whose goal is to design environments that appeal to the senses, arouse feelings, and make an impact on visitors. Experiential architecture changes the way we engage with our surroundings, improving our lives and creating bonds between people and places. Examples of this include prominent museums that reshape skylines and urban parks that revitalize abandoned regions. This article will examine several case studies that demonstrate the ideas and potential of experiential architecture and show how creative designs may go beyond the typical to produce remarkable experiences.
The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain
Located in Bilbao, Spain, on the bank of the Nervión River, the Guggenheim Museum answers to an intricate program and industrial urban surroundings by a synthesis of complex, whirling shapes, and compelling materials. With more than 100 shows and ten million visitors to its name, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has not only altered public perceptions of museums and architects, but its extraordinary success has also helped the local economy of Bilbao. Indeed, the phenomenon of a city’s metamorphosis after the creation of a noteworthy architectural work is today known as the “Bilbao Effect.”Even after twenty years, the Museum still questions preconceived notions about the relationships between architecture and art. (Pagnotta, 2013)
Due to its distinctive style, the Guggenheim Museum is a well-known example of modern architecture, symbolizing both architectural innovation and urban rebirth. The museum’s most distinctive feature was a sign consisting of gravity-defying curves coated in titanium plates. Each curve reflected light differently, giving the impression of fluidity and movement. The structure has an organic shape that makes it seem as though a living thing is growing out of the Nervion River’s banks.
The museum’s design is a mix of glass, limestone, and titanium, making a captivating and lively building. Inside, the open, natural areas invite people to interact with the art in new and exciting ways. This success, known as the “Bilbao Effect,” has inspired other places to invest in renowned architecture to energize their economies and renew their cities. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is also famous for challenging the idea that art and architecture can’t go together.
Many studies and analyses look at the museum’s design. They focus on how it affects Bilbao’s economy, city development, and architecture as a whole. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao brings together critics, scholars, and the public. It shows how architecture can impress and motivate people worldwide.
Sagrada Familia, Spain
A very long time ago, construction began on Barcelona’s grand Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. It was in 1882. The magnificent cathedral is still being built today. They plan to finish it by 2026. With over three million visitors yearly, it’s considered Catalan Modernisme architecture’s most famous example. Despite knowing he’d never see it done, architect Antoni Gaudi devoted himself to designing it until his passing in 1926. (Jones, 2013)
After difficulties between the supporters of the temple and Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, the original architect, Gaudi was hired as the architect in 1883 at the age of thirty-one. He kept the Latin cross layout of del Villar, which is characteristic of Gothic churches but made some notable departures from the Gothic. Most remarkably, Gaudi created a hyperboloidal vault and angled column arrangement to do away with the requirement for flying buttresses. Horizontal loads are transmitted via inner columns as opposed to depending on external factors. (Jones, 2013)
One of Antoni Gaudí’s best examples of experience architecture is the Sagrada Família. Gaudí’s tall towers combine Art Nouveau, Modernista, and Spanish traditional architecture, creating an intriguing and captivating experience. The chapel has ornate ornamentation, organic designs, and natural elements—such as its columns shaped like trees and its multicolored windows that let in plenty of natural light. Upon completion, the Sagrada Família will include eighteen towers, each offering a unique perspective of the temple. About 100 meters tall, four bell towers with the Apostles depicted on top of each tower. Additionally, a tower depicting the Virgin Mary will stand above the back end on the north side.
The Sagrada Família has a distinctive plan as well, with a covered walkway or cloister that creates a rectangle and passes through each of the three gates’ narthex. Gaudí designed the Sagrada Família with features that make it very immersive. The building’s general style also adds to this quality.
Work on The Sagrada Família began way back in 1882. But Gaudí didn’t get involved until 1883. After that, he spent the rest of his life working on it. When Gaudí died in 1926, less than one-fourth was done. The basilica was built using private donations. Events like the Spanish Civil War also interrupted construction sometimes. Still, even though it’s incomplete, millions visit yearly. They come to experience Gaudí’s unique architecture. His lasting impact on design is clear.
The Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum
The Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum in Osaka, Japan, is one of Tadao Ando’s masterworks and is built to hold artifacts related to traditional Japanese engineering methods. It is recognized as the Sayamaike Pond site museum, introducing the history of irrigation, reclamation, and water control. The building is located a short distance from Sayamaike Lake and 15 meters below the river. Space is a representation of the architect’s philosophy, which uses geometry, light, and space to encourage minimalism and simplicity.
The two primary parts of the construction are a large rectangular box and a small cuboid with rectangular water sources surrounding it. After the renowned architect spent four years developing the museum, it took three years to construct. Because he felt that we should preserve the architecture that already exists in the built world rather than constructing new things, the museum is designed to blend in with both its surroundings and its structure. The primary component of the design is “water.” (Choudhary, 2023)
You have a sense of being a part of nature thanks to the museum’s design. It’s centered around a pond, which is the first feature that catches your eye. Ando wished for people to share experiences in nature and the museum. To make the museum blend in with the surroundings, he selected basic designs and materials. brief phrases. Here’s a lengthy sentence that follows: The building and landscape are connected by the museum’s revolutionary architecture, allowing you to explore the museum and the outdoors without having to choose between the two. The surroundings were creatively incorporated into the design by the architect. While communicating important data about the building and natural surroundings of the museum, different sentence lengths keep things interesting.
References:
Choudhary, A. (2023). Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum by Tadao Ando: Water and Architecture. Retrieved from ArchDaily: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/case-studies/a5101-osaka-prefectural-sayamaike-museum-by-tadao-ando-water-and-architecture/
Jones, R. (2013, October 10). AD Classics: La Sagrada Familia / Antoni Gaudí. Retrieved from ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/438992/ad-classics-la-sagrada-familia-antoni-gaudi?ad_medium=gallery
Pagnotta, B. (2013, September 10). AD Classics: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao / Gehry Partners. Retrieved from ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/422470/ad-classics-the-guggenheim-museum-bilbao-frank-gehry?ad_medium=gallery
Image 1 The Guggenheim Museum © Flickr User: RonG8888 2
Image 2 The Passion Facade © Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Família 3
Image 3 Sayamaike Museum tallest building_© voyapon.com 4
