Sorol Museum – Gangneung, South Korea
Title
Sorol Museum – Gangneung, South Korea
Designed by
Meier Partners
Image Credit
© Roland Halbe
Website Source
Project Description
Project description provided by Meier Partners - Designing a museum today demands a delicate balance between engaging authentically with its
context and landscape and providing versatile exhibition spaces that can adapt to various installations.
Increasingly, artists consider the specificity of a museum’s design when creating their installations, and
yet there is a rising need for spaces that are adaptable, allowing for a dynamic range of exhibitions.
This interplay between specific design elements and flexibility is essential for accommodating the
evolving needs of contemporary art.
Meier Partners has designed the Sorol Museum with this balance in mind, creating a dynamic interplay
between introverted gallery spaces and extroverted circulation areas. The gallery spaces are designed
to be flexible and receptive to the artist’s or curator’s creative intent, while the circulation areas, defined
by rhythmic and choreographed views and natural light, offer an architectural framework that fosters a
unique dialogue between the museum, the exhibitions it houses and its surrounding landscape.
The key design intent of connecting the building to its setting is achieved through the continuous
interaction between the interior and the surrounding landscape, primarily facilitated by the circulation
spaces. The museum is organized around a central courtyard, inspired by traditional Korean
architecture, and comprises three main volumes: the north wing, a large cantilevered pavilion; the
“cube,” a pristine structure housing galleries and offices; and a transparent pavilion that encompasses
the main entrance, lobby, and café. The circulation follows a T-shape, allowing movement between
different floors and spaces while providing opportunities for engagement with outdoor exhibits,
gardens, and the reflecting pool. A signature ramp serves as a sculptural element, linking indoor and
outdoor areas as well as the two levels. Large windows and expansive vistas throughout the circulation
spaces maximize natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances the visual
connection to the landscape.
In contrast, the three separate gallery spaces are more introverted, featuring controlled natural light
modulated by shading devices, while maximizing display areas for exhibitions and creating a serene
and adaptable backdrop for world-class art. The main gallery, featuring a skylight with integrated
shading devices to control daylight, is large and flexible in order to accommodate multiple types of
exhibitions. The “cube” consists of an extra-tall space topped with a skylight fitted with opaque-
translucent glass, allowing for diffused and indirect light. Modestly sized windows are strategically
positioned to introduce carefully controlled natural light while framing views of the park, all while
preserving ample wall space for exhibits. Each gallery possesses a distinct character, equipped with
the ability to finely control the interplay of natural and artificial light, enabling curators to tailor the
lighting experience to the specific needs of the artwork.
