De Young Ones

Playing with convention

“The blurring or accentuating of sight lines, or the confusing of distinction between windows and walls, and between what lies ahead and what behind.” - Herzog and de Meuron

The De Young Museum- San Francisco, California

The de Young Museum is a fascinating museum comprised of sharp angles and incredibly controlled day-lighting effects. The interior is made up of a series of angled walls, glazed and solid so that anywhere you look your view appears to distort. Glimpse of what lies ahead also seems to pull you from one space to another

This idea is reinforced by how the light is allowed to enter the space, creating intrigue and distortion

Embedded 3D model

SECTION 1These sections show how the light moves through the cuts in the roof and along the angled walls, accentuating the lines of the walls, creating a heightened sense of perspective.

SECTION 2

This sectional render is trying to reinforce the distorted view points of the building. Every interior wall that is visible in this shot is angled.

And pulls you into the space

Arrrhhhhhhh distortion!!!

In section, the expansive side-lighting of this part of the building is best illustrated. The Tower is day-lit from each exterior wall via a copper mesh screen which varies in levels of transparency. The administration levels and backup gallery on the ground floor are side-washed with daylight via floor- to-ceiling glazing on the south façade.