Project
Barjeel Museum for Modern Arab Art
Nomination
Best Architectural Design for a Museum
About the project
For the Barjeel Museum for Modern Arab Art, we envisaged an introverted complex of solid appearance resembling a fortress. The porous mass has been meticulously carved to create courtyards and alleys intertwined with the galleries which are laid out below street level to shield the artwork from sun exposure and thermal gains.
In honor of the foundation's name, we have reinterpreted the traditional wind tower typology reshaping it into a contemporary sculpture that not only serves as a cooling device but also adds value to the space. The wind towers work in tandem with the roof structure within the courtyards.
The complex geometry of the roof shading canopy contrasts with the simple forms of the museum. Glimpses of the wooden structure can be viewed from the exterior, but their full beauty can only be experienced from within the building. Its geometry is inspired by the complex motifs of Arabic architecture and by the ancient Emirati weaving traditions.
1st Prize Winner of The Rifat Chadirji Prize 2019 by Tamayouz Excellence Award.
Location
Al Tarfa District, Sharjah, UAE
Project created in
2019
More project images
https://www.aidia-studio.com/barjeel-museum-for-modern-arab-art
Additional information
https://www.admiddleeast.com/mexican-practice-aidia-studio-wins-design-competition-for-sharjah-museum/
https://www.e-architect.co.uk/dubai/barjeel-museum-for-modern-arab-art-in-sharjah
https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/architects-win-international-comp-for-stunning-modern-art-museum-in-uae-8564
https://hadaramagazine.com/?p=3310
Applicant and authors of the project
AIDIA STUDIO
Other participants
The museum is designed for the Barjeel Foundation established to manage, preserve and exhibit an extensive collection of modern and contemporary Arab art and contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region.