PUBLIC + BUILDING, A design approach for the new Flemish Museum of Contemporary Art (VMHK) formerly known as M HKA

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

D.R.N. Manuel Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

S. Pietsch Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
A.R. Thomas Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
M. Parravicini Architectural Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
D.A. Sepulveda Carmona Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
D.J. Rosbottom Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
Mark Pimlott Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
S. De Vocht Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2023 Denzel Manuel
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Published Date

09-11-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The Flemish Museum of Contemporary Art (M HKA) is an institution strongly rooted in the existing fabric and socio-political framework of Antwerp South. The museum is located on the outskirts of the city, which has undergone consistent urban development and urban planning as the city grew into one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in Europe. In this development, the Antwerp Museum of Contemporary Art gradually sought to evolve with society and make way for a larger institutional purpose that pushed the museum agenda towards a more formal and generic interpretation of art spaces and how they are interpreted in light of the current zeitgeist.

In my final project, I revisit the meaning of art presentation in relation to cultural building by reconnecting with MKHA’s historic approach of capturing the essence of conserving and presenting contemporary art, an identity and genesis of an institution that has curated its growing collection between less conventional building layout and architectural fabric.

My design proposal is based on the sustainable idea and design language of reusing existing building tissue, specifically the former courthouse building which is assigned for the new developments of the M HKA or at the time entitled: Vlaams Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst (VMHK). A building typology that exists of two prefabricated office towers that are connected by a low-rise structural addition and entrance.

Here, the practice of preserving and exhibiting art in an anti-museum condition becomes relevant again through the presence of existing structure and building layout, which, in resemblance to the former MHKA building, reinforces this familiar identity in which exhibiting art bears the title ‘symbiosis between’ anti-museum condition and institutional purpose.