Create a satellite gallery raising the on-campus profile of this world-class academic museum.
Promote the breadth and depth of the collection, while keeping the space fully flexible for a variety of installations over time.
Integrate with Brown's Museum Studies program, and provide the venue for the class in Exhibition Design.
Provide a location for hosting events.
Challenges
Work within limited space in an architecturally and historically significant building on the Campus Green.
Balance museum-grade environmental standards with a limited budget and an old building not designed for temperature and humidity controls.
Satisfy multiple constituents, including the campus Chaplaincy with whom the building is shared.
Design Response
Created a simply detailed space, organized only by an entry element that creates a focus and orients the path of the visitor.
Used the entry element to orient the visitor to the museum experience.
Installed a "window" into the Haffenreffer, where selections from the main Museum location can be exhibited and promoted without competing with the gallery show.
Infilled existing windows with panels that can be used to highlight content and to organize the layout of the individual exhibits.
Worked with the Historical Society in selecting appropriate colors to repaint the historic exterior of the building.
