MUSEUM SPACE PROGRAM PLANNING

AND THEIR RELATION TO BUILDING NEEDS

ELAINE HEUMANN GURIAN

2006Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

INTRODUCTION• This slide package is intended to use with

groups whose museums are undergoing physical change.

• It is intended to begin the conversation with those unfamiliar with architectural program planning to understand that it is narrative based and can be a helpful discussion for architects.

• This is obviously not comprehensive but a start toward understanding process.

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

MUSEUM INTENTION

• OBJECT CENTERED– Study Storage

• NARRATIVE• CLIENT CENTERED

– Learning theory– Visitor Services

• COMMUNITY FOCUSED– Social Services co-located

• NATIONAL

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

MUSEUM ECONOMICS

• FEES– Free or entrance charges

• MIXED USE SPACE– Other agencies, special events,

performances, café, shopping, etc.

• SYNAGY BETWEEN USES– Lurking, regulars, public lobby’s, etc.

• HOURS

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

LOCATION

• NEUTRAL SPACE

• PUBLIC TRANSPORT

• WALKING STREETS

• URBAN VS PARK-LIKE

• INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PROGRAM

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

INTENDED AUDIENCES

• Who are the primary visitors?• Who are other essential groups needing

special space consideration? • GROUPS

– Schools– After-school and community– Elderly– Tourists

• ACCESSIBILITY– Handicapped– Well Elderly

• SMALL SOCIAL GROUPS– Families– Young adults

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

EXHIBITION PHILOSOPHY

• Tone and style

• Layering

• Relationship with audience

• Co-curating and audience response.

• Curator’s voice

• IPod and other technology

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

EXHIBITION SPACE• Temporary exhibition program. How often

do you change. How long does reinstallation usually take?

• Where do the temp galleries need to be?• What kinds of security and climate control

do you need? Do you need the same for each gallery?

• What kinds of responsiveness do you want to plan for?

• Wireless and other electrical considerations.

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

TONE AND STYLE

• WAYFINDING – Can I find my way?

• WORD CHOICES – formal or conversational.

• LINGERING – watching, regrouping, strolling encouraged?

• MIXED USE – visiting for reason other than gallery viewing encouraged?

• AMENITIES – seating, conversations, toilet design. Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

• Can the visitor do unrelated activities?

• Is it encouraged?

• Meeting up places?

• Family friendly food service, grouping.

• Access to more information?

• Access to storage?

• Greeting?

• Audience input?Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

STAFF NEEDS

• Where are the staff offices?

• Who is sitting next to who?

• How many need to be on-site?

• How many in total?

• Where are the meeting rooms? How many do you need?

• Are there private offices?

• Will exhibitions be created on site?Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

OUTSIDE AND TRANSITION

• Can the outside be programmed?

• Can the outside encourage other uses (food market, music, seating)?

• Is there outside space needed past the admissions barrier?

• Can there be inside park-like spaces?

• How difficult is it to find the site?

• How daunting to enter the building?Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

ADJACENCIES

• What needs to be next to what?

• How do school groups enter and leave? Where do they go during the visit?

• How is the building used for functions?

• Where are the shops, cafes, regrouping, special entrances, security?

• Loading docks, crate storage, reinstallation spaces.

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006