ARCHITECTURAL STUDY IN BRIEF

1. Guggenheim Museum in NYC

2. Guggenheim
Museum in
NYC
Architect :Frank
Lloyd Wright
Year(s) of
construction:1956-
1959
Year(s) of
remodeling :2006-
2008
Location :New York,
United States
Coordinates:40° 46'
58" N, 73° 57' 32" W
INTRODUCTION
 The Guggenheim Museum in New York is
the first museum established by the
Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation,
dedicated to modern art. Founded in 1937
in Upper East Side, NY, it is the best known
of all the museums of the foundation, and is
often called simply "The Guggenheim".
 The project was involved in complex
discussions between the architect and the
client in the city, the art world and public
opinion, because of the contrast of its forms
within the grid of the city of New York.
 In 1992 the building was complimented
with a rectangular tower, higher than the
original spiral.
 This modification to Wright's original
design created a strong controversy.

3. LOCATION
 The Guggenheim is situated with a view of the
famous Central Park, offering a great combination of
views to walkers in the city.
 Address: 1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th Street) New
York, NY 10128-0173, USA
 Accessibility: Stopping the 86th Street subway (lines
4, 5 and 6) or bus lines M1, M2, M3 and M4.

5. CONCEPT
 The building itself became a work of art. From the
street, the building looks like a white ribbon rolled
into a cylindrical shape, slightly wider at the top than
at the bottom. Internally, the galleries form a spiral.
Thus, the visitor sees the work as you walk up the
illuminated spiral ramp.
 Its design was inspired by a "Ziggurat" Babylonian
temple pyramid, inverted.

6. SPACES
 The Museum Guggenheim exhibits a great difference to
the buildings in the vicinity because of its spiral shape,
marked by the merging of triangles, ovals, arcs, circles
and squares, which correspond to the concept of organic
architecture used by Frank Lloyd Wright in his designs.
 The tour begins at the entrance and slowly leads visitors
to a path where the artworks are exposed along a spiral
ramp lit by a large skylight at its zenith divided in the
shape of a citrus fruit.
 Wright directs visitors via a ramp to the top of the
building, and down a gentle helicoidal ramp so that
almost without realizing it, the work set out at different
levels is interconnected, yet distinct from one another by
a small transitional space that is almost imperceptible.

8.  If we stop for a moment and look toward the center of the
spiral we realize how impressive this building is, reminiscent
of a snail, which allows us to see the center of the rotunda and
various levels of exposure of the spiral ramp downward.
 A more detailed observation shows the interaction of
geometric shapes subtly positioned, dominated by triangles,
ovals (including the columns), arcs, circles and squares.
 The paths around the great central emptiness promote the
reflection upon and the enjoyment of the art.
 The meaning of the art is communicated via the trip through
this New York Museum.
 The provision of semi-open exhibition halls gives visitors an
overview of the entire building from any point up the central
aisle. Also, it calls attention to the mosaic on the ground floor.

9.  In the conquest of the static regularity of geometric
design and combined with the plasticity of nature,
Wright produced a vibrant building whose
architecture is as refreshing now as it was 40 years
ago. The Guggenheim of Wright is probably the most
eloquent presentation and certainly the most
important building of his late career.

10. STRUCTURE
 This building has a spiral structure featuring a large
exhibition hall lit by a skylight.

12. MATERIALS
 The materials used in its construction were basically
precast concrete blocks.
 The white paint used on the internal walls makes the
works of art stand out.
 The skylight is supported by steel joints.

16. THANK YOU