An Evaluation of Light Distribution in the Exhibition Areas of the Mimesis Art Museum Designed by Alvaro Siza

Chang Sung Kim

Department of Architectural Engineering, Hyupsung University, Hwaseong Si, South Korea.

DOI: 10.4236/jbcpr.2014.24021                

Abstract

The works of Alvaro Siza have been referred that they were not the theoretical architecture but the sensual and experiential one. His works were designed on the base of their locality that each of them located. For the study, I selected a work of him, which was the Mimesis Art Museum at Paju in South Korea, and reviewed existing literatures to understand how he controlled the light and created the architectural spaces and forms in relation with the light, and I measured the illumination levels of the inside areas of the Mimesis Art Museum, and then, I surveyed the visitors’ responses on the lighting conditions of the Mimesis Art Museum. The results of the measurements showed that the illumination levels of the Mimesis Art museum on the first floor were effectively controlled to display the art works. The illumination levels on the third floor, however, were much higher than recommended illumination values for museum because of less controlled natural light. Therefore, more considerations to control the natural light are needed to secure stable environment in the exhibition spaces. Meanwhile, the answers of questionnaires concerning the quality of lighting conditions in the Mimesis Art Museum showed that the natural light was so effective to light the museum although the natural light illuminated some areas of the museum with high illumination levels.

Keywords

Alvaro Siza, The Memesis Art Museum, Natural Light

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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