LAMH // Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust by Belzberg Architects
photo © Belzberg Architects
Project Title: Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust // LAMH Year: 2010 Status: Completed Project Type: Cultural Construction Type: New Size: 27,000 ft2 Location: 100 South The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Client(s): Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust President: Randy Schoenberg Director: Mark Rothman Design Architect: Belzberg Architects Principal: Hagy Belzberg Project Manager: Aaron Leppanen Project Team:
Andrew Atwood, Barry Gartin, Brock DeSmit, Carina Bien-Wilner ,
Christopher Arntzen, Cory Taylor, Daniel Rentsch, David Cheung, Eric
Stimmel, Erik Sollom, Justin Brechtel, Philip Lee, Lauren Zuzack Structural Consultant: William Koh & Associates Mechanical Consultant: John Dorius & Associates Electrical Consultant :A&F Consulting Engineers Plumbing Consultant: Tom Nasrollahi & Associates Soils Engineer: Irvine Geotechnical Methane Engineer: Carlin Environmental Environmental Engineer: Enviropro, Inc. General Contractor: Winters-Schram Special Fabrication: Spectrum Oak Products, Swiss Woodworking Photography: Belzberg Architects, Benny Chan - Fotoworks, Iwan Baan Awards:
2008 (Mayor’s Award) Allen Matkins Green Building Design Concept
Award, Sponsoring Organization: Los Angeles Business Council
photo © Iwan Baan
In 2010 the LAMH (Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust) was completed, created by Belzberg Architects.
This project covering an approximate area of 32,000 sqft, has been
designed with a great sensitivity and an even greater need to capture
the essence of its displays through, form, structure, light and
circulation. The architecture plays a primal role in the emotional
journey that its visitors are ready to commence, taking them form past
to present.
photo © Iwan Baan
photo © Iwan Baan
The museum is located in a public park adjacent to the existing Holocaust Memorial.
The building is submerged into the ground allowing the park’s landscape
to continue over the roof of the structure. This eco-structural element
is one of the largest intensive green roofs in Southern California,
which instantly creates sensitivity and an understanding to its
surroundings. The journey to the LAMH
begins with a day in the outdoors passing by children playing football,
hearing laughter and observing motions and activities. Upon arrival the
building is almost concealed into the landscape and the visitor is
surprised and anxious to discover the journey that lies ahead. The
actual entrance into the museum entails a gradual deterioration by a
descending long ramp into the lower level. With this gradual journey to
the levels below ground, you move from the planes of openness and
movement of the outside world into the secluded and isolated spaces of
the indoors.
photo © Iwan Baan
As one keeps stepping down to commence
his journey the lighting dims even more and the ceiling lowers. The
design intent is to allegorically relate the visitor’s chronological
experience of the building to that of Holocaust victims. In order to
achieve this, the experience of the building is largely dictated by the
timeline of a visitor’s passage from point of arrival through to his/her
ascension back to park level. This emotional journey is designated by
the architectural structure indicating the sensitivity of the space and
embracing you in its interiors.
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks
photo © Iwan Baan
The main and sole architectural
materials used in this building are formed shorcrete and glass. The
passages through the irregular form openings almost make you feel like
you are in a cocoon like space. A separation from the outside world but
not a claustrophobic or intimidating one. This has been achieved by the
use of these two prime materials which are simplistic and balanced
between fragility and solidity. There is an absolute harmony between the
form of the architecture and the materials used to implement this.
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks
photo © Iwan Baan
From the first room that you are guided
to titled ‘The War that Was’ to the fourth titled ‘Concentration Camp’
the lighting is almost scarce and the room is almost entirely
illuminated by video monitors, the visitor is now confined to the most
isolated, darkest and volumetrically concentrated underground area in
the museum. Now from here on the journey is one of ascension and of
finding the comfort of a familiar space as floor levels begin to rise
and natural lights begins to penetrate the interior once again. Your
journey has started from the past at the lowest and darkest level and
now it is gradually moving you towards the present. The intended purpose
is not for the visitor to live the museum feeling emotionally drained
and dark. By ascending up to the existing monument filled with sights
and sounds of the unrestricted park land, the visitor feels the visual
connection and is left with a lasting impression of the journey which is
now looking into the future.
photo © Belzberg Architects
In such a delicate themed architectural project Belzberg Architects
have paid great tribute to the essence of this museum, while at the
same time giving respect and hope to all its visitors. A structure that
does not want to emotionally drain you. A building that takes you into
the future by remembering the past and paying great attention to the
present.
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks
photo © Iwan Baan
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks
photo © Iwan Baan
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks
photo © Benny Chan-Fotoworks www.yatzer.com
Источник: http://adrihal.ucoz.ru/blog/lamh_los_angeles_museum_of_the_holocaust_by_belzberg_architects/2011-03-19-8498 |