New Taipei City Museum of Art by OTA+

The proposal by California-based firm OTA+ for the New Taipei City Museum of Art International Design Competition aims to challenge the definition of a museum, as well as the relationship between building and site.

To minimize the effects of extreme local weather, the ground floor of the site is reduced to a minimal footprint, while the architecture of the second and third floors extends amoeba-like above.  This results in sheltered public spaces, such as an art park, garden walk, and hall of fame.

The floating mass connects the Contemporary Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum of Art with administration space.  Parking, library, classrooms, resource center and lecture hall are all located below ground, and are easily accessible via vertical circulation tubes.

The design also allows for ample diffused light through recessed glazed windows and fin diffusers, to protect the precious art inside.