MHKA: A Multi-Museum

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

C.T. Furlong Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

Mark Pimlott Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
M.W. Klooster Teachers of Practice / A - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
A.R. Thomas Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2023 Craig Furlong
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Published Date

26-06-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

As the institution of art has developed, systematic biases have survived because they are embedded into institutional practices. The art world remains discriminatory and the art commodified, not able to provide its full public value. While contemporary artists have tried to remove themselves and their work from the gallery, they remain unsuccessful without a new form of exhibition.

M HKA, a contemporary art museum in Antwerp, Belgium with roots in anarchitecture and the anti-museum, is moving to a new site, and with that comes the opportunity to address the art world and many points of tension within it. The institution wants to participate on an international level but keep its Flemish roots and identity. The site of their future location is also part of a larger urban transformation and the site of another building that is possible to redevelop.

When designing for M HKA, it will be important to keep these points of tension in mind. The museum appears to currently be balancing many of these dilemmas already. How will this new structure enrich the surrounding environment without gentrifying the area and further marginalizing minority communities? M HKA has the opportunity to address these issues and lay a new foundation for how a contemporary museum should operate. If done successfully, the architecture of this space could very well replace the current standard of the white cube.