Technological University of

the Philippines

Manila Ayala Blvd. , Ermita Manila

College of Architecture and Fine Arts

Architecture Department

RESEARCH WORK IN

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE I

ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH ON

STRUCTURES IN THE PHILIPPINES:

“THE MIND MUSEUM” Taguig City, Philippines

SUBMITTED BY:

LAPUS, PATRICK LYNDON M.

REYNALES, KEVIN JOHN D.

SUBMITTED TO:

ARCHT. CHARLES RAMOS

THE MIND MUSEUM

The Mind Museum is an educational facility aimed at fostering the public understand-ing of science. It is located on a 1.2 hectare lot in the J. Y. Campos Park in Bonifacio Global City, a fast-rising central business district in Taguig City, Philippines. The mu-seum opens in March 2012, and a Pre-Opening Ceremony took place last Dec 15, 2011. The project proponent is the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI), chaired by Joselito D. Campos, with Vice-Chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala and President Antonino T. Aquino. Managing Director is Manny Blas II and the Curator is Maria Isabel Garcia.

The Mind Museum just had its soft opening Dec 15, 2011 for donors and special part-ners to signal the completion of major works in the building and exhibition but when completely open to the public sometime in March 2012, it will have more than 250 in-teractive exhibits in five galleries: Atom, Earth, Life, Universe and Technology. Science Center Singapore is museum planning consultant with Jack Rouse Associates as mas-ter planner and designer of the exhibition halls. Ed Calma is the building architect.

Cost of the project is estimated at Pesos 1 billion (US $ 23.5 million), funded totally by private donations from corporations and individuals. 90% of the exhibits are designed and fabricated by Filipino designers, scientists and fabricators.

BUILDING DESIGN

The space-age design of The Mind Museum is the brainchild of a team of architects from Lor Calma & Partners, led by renowned architect Ed Calma. The inspiration be-hind the building's futuristic, yet organic look was based on cell growth and molecular

structures.

Mirroring the functionality of nature, some features of the building's innovative and sus-tainable design include: slanted exterior walls to minimize the entry of sunlight, a spe-cially curved roof for more efficient rain collection, and strategic orientation to utilize the shadows of adjacent buildings, all of which contribute to more energy efficiency. Ed counts the form and location of The Mind Museum as his favorite things about the mu-seum; he believes that it has an interesting place in "a sea of box buildings and it cele-brates the terminus of the Bonifacio High Street axis" - a combination that is sure to awe visitors.

Ed was drawn to The Mind Museum by the idea that it would influence a generation of Filipinos to see science and art in a different light. In particular, he hopes that the mu-seum will help people to see the connection between the two fields, as well as remove the intimidating edge from science.

BUILDING DESIGN AND ITS FUNCTION

FORM

The form of the structure is based on cellular growth and molecular structures.

ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATIONS

A form can be transformed by the addition of elements to its volume. The nature of the additive process will determine whether the identity of the initial form is retained or al-tered.

INTER LOCKING VOLUMES

In this type of relationship, two forms interpenetrate each other’s space. These forms need not share any visual traits.

On the right side you notice that a canopy like structure is added to emphasize the massive-ness of the whole structure. It interlocks to the main structure through the connection of the canopy structure.

EDGES AND CORNERS

For a corner to be formally active in our visual field, there must be more than a slight deviation in the geometry of the adjoining planes. Rounding off the corner emphasizes continuity of a form’s surfaces, the compactness of its volume, and softness of its contour.

TEXTURE

The texture used in the structure is smooth, they used Aluminum Cladding system on its exterior façade which give the structure a modern feel.

COLOR

Colors used in the exterior of the structure is monochromatic, it is mostly in shades of black, gray, and white. But on its Interior, is a different story. Now the interior has a more playful palette of colors used. Because the main reason is, Since it’s a Science Museum, it tar-gets the youth or children as its primary visitors. And we all know that children enjoys seeing things that are colorful.

SCALE

Scale when increased, it gives a feeling of grandeur, dignity and monumentality.

FACILITIES AND ACCESS

VICINITY MAP

THE MIND MUSEUM UNDER CONSTRUCTION