Wichita Art Museum
In order to help the existing museum site reach its potential, a few issues must be addressed. Foremost, the current orientation of the building does not cooperate with its context, both macro and micro. The riverfront provides great things: scenery, culture and exercise paths. Unfortunately there is a disconnection between the river and art museum. Lastly, the museum needs supplementary reasons in addition to the art exhibitions to draw visitors to the site.
My solution is to strengthen the site's connections within itself and the city Most significantly are the paths that cross above the street level on the East and integrate across the entire master plan. Currently the 5.25 acre site is not used efficiently do to the building's orientation and parking lot, separating the nearby residences. By engaging the ground plane and burying the museum's private functions [450 parking stalls also], the site is reclaimed and allows for maximum use.
Rowhouses mimic the typology across the street to the North and create an "alley" of green space. This serves as a park and lively urban space, connecting to the river, for museum visitors and local residents.
Punctuating the site is the retail and bandstand area at the far West. These elements can activate and push the Wichita Art Museum and its site to its maximum potential.
Top - Existing site; Middle - Site in context; Bottom - Final project
Museum front lobby
Atrium space with bikestation above
