AVE STUDIO - Virtual Reality Museum & Library; Cranbrook Academy of Arts, Detroit, MI

http://www.avestudio.net

A:\ Binary Future

For this particular project, we attempted to, in a sense, 'buck the trend' of what is generally thought of as 'architecture.' Although initially half-jokingly doing so, we explored the idea of what architecture could mean: not solely bricks, mortar, or steel, but also the architecture of a computer chip. Both of these entities share the same word, but in each case, they have very different meanings. We wanted to bring the architecture of a computer chip together in a melting pot with the architecture of built construction. The museum was to be designed of solid materials-concrete, glass and steel. All of these materials have neutral or cool tones to them, which we used as an expression of the futuristic theme. The radial plan and a transparent geodesic dome were intended to echo the physical exhibits within. The true exhibition spaces, however, were to actually be in virtual reality. Essentially, a visitor could step into a gyroscopic sphere made of a metal mesh while wearing a lightweight headpiece, and program the exhibit to simulate almost anything as they walked around in the virtual space. The visitor would no longer be limited to artifacts and pottery in a glass showcase, they would literally be able to experience any conceivable event in history, the present, and in all possibility the perceived future. After some research, we discovered that the core technology does exist, and if taken a step further, the idea of a truly virtual museum is not only completely and entirely possible, but has almost limitless potential, the only boundary being what the human mind can imagine.


A Globally-Connected Database

In tandem with the virtual museum, the addition to the library needed to be different than what is generally considered as a place to house archives of books. The facility we proposed was not really even a library at all-it was more of a hub, acting like an internet router. Its purpose was to connect a network of traditional libraries as 'nodes' together, in an attempt to create a place where information and knowledge from each of these places could be viewed, communicated with, and shared by the visitor. The traditional books, texts, and manuscripts from each node facility would be stored in a digital database, thereby preserving any precious documents forever. Architecturally, the building has a very neutral color palette, made of granite, concrete, glass and brushed metal-similar to the museum addition. This, again is a play on the core theme, in order to present a sleek, futuristic look. Inside, there are no books or stacks present, but instead, stations with computers and informal seating areas for users to sit with a personal laptop to access the database through their own machine. The ultimate goal would be, in time, to connect all libraries together via a vast digital archive, and allow visitors to access any information stored in the library of their choosing from a series of hubs around the world without the need to travel more than several miles. For instance, if an individual from Michigan needed to view a one-of-a-kind document only found at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, it could easily be accessed at a computer station at this hub. In a sense, people and cultures from around the globe will be connected, unrestricted by distance, time, or the natural deterioration of physical documents.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

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• architecture
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• animation
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• design
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• museum
• library
• cranbrook
• virtual reality
• VR
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• 3d walkthrough