“ MUSEO DE BUTUAN: ART IN PARADISE AND

MULTIPLEX EXHIBIT CENTER ”

A PROPOSED NEW MODERN ART MUSEUM

A Thesis Proposal Presented to the Faculty of the College of Engineering and

Architecture

Saint Joseph Institute of Technology

Montilla Blvd., Butuan City

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture

VERGIL B. TINGCOY

December 2019

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Museums have an extremely positive effect on society, in addition to art &

culture benefits. Museums preserve the legacy of humanity, both the good and the

bad, and serve to enrich the lives of countless visitors, making the world a more

enlightened place for present and future generations. This is used as a social learning

space for knowledge-producing processes. It is a democratic educational institution

that contributes to the culture being an active resource in society. This implies that

museums are social learning spaces for knowledge-producing processes that can

create social change and sustainable growth.

The idea of the museum has become different with time. It is now more

interactive and more open. The museum has to be welcoming and needs to

communicate to the widest possible audience. It should have all embrace image. It

should not house the only house of sculpture, but also should house people. Their

emotions and feelings.

Today's museum represents how a society sees itself. It is a symbol of the

commercial and cultural achievement of a country. It is a place for visitor's

attractions, which might help in global tourism. Nowadays is a place of multi-

function, which has to combine traditional roles of interpreting and conserving a wide

range of artifacts, large scale retail area, and new technology. It acts like an art market

where artist are being promoted. Exhibits are not displayed in static form. A huge

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number of people will be welcomed by temporary galleries in the museum. Large

scale installation projects, video, and performance make the museum livelier

participatory and interactive.

1.1 Rationale Of The Study

The Butuan City Museum for history and arts became another network for the

students to learn more. This will also serve as the first basis of this study. It is well-

known to be a learning space of students in Butuan and even in the whole Caraga

Region. It acts as visiting areas for recreational activities that will help them to look

back at our traditions and culture. This adds up how significant it is to have museums

around the area and is also becoming the center of attraction towards tourists.

The current museum has been intermittently visited by the community

because of its lack of facilities and the exhibits artworks were few. By this, the

proposed 3d art museum will meet all event needs. It is a smart building, adaptable to

the most advanced technology and has been designed to provide excellent

conferencing and exhibition facilities and services. It is a consolidated space, where

people come together to interact and enjoy its 3d painting features, while learning and

exchanging new ideas.

For many years many people around the world have been working on the

illusions and implementing in different ways. In order to preserve and exhibit to the

people one museum is required. When the illusions are placed in the environment like

museum, the space shall carry a special interest. And also the ideas about the

possibilities to make wonders with shapes and materials. It is most like a learning

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place and entertainment to help the students and people to gain new ideas while

having fun. Therefore, the facilities provided should be suitable for the user

requirement. the proposed 3d Art museum will encourage people to visit the gallery,

not just to embrace the artworks being exhibits, but because of the circulation was

dictated by the displays thus the path was created not by the designers wants, but

based on the users' comfort and ability that adopts the character of being malleable

that is capable of adapting different society demands.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

1.2.1 What are the special architectural features of the proposal that will give an

interest in visiting the museum?

1.2.2 How does the study cater a hundreds of tourists/visitors in a congested area in

Capitol?

1.2.3 What are the following factors in designing a museum that does not suppresses

the existing environment?

1.2.4 What is the difference between the existing museum and the proposed study?

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1.2.5 How will the study considers the condition of the area that will maintain a

balanced equilibrium between the exhibit and the atmosphere, To preserve a work of

art in its original state?

Objectives:

1. To promote the educational institution to the public while having fun that will help

socio-economic development in Butuan City.

2. To design a complex structure that does not disturb the existing condition in the

area.

3. To attain the smooth flow of traffic and the development itself will not cause a

chaotic response to the community.

4. To maximize its importance in the city with a vision of developing different

technologies that upgrade the urbanization of Butuan city by promoting an

educational edifice that has no primary goal but only to pursuit knowledge in the

society.

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1.3 Significance Of The Study

Building an interactive art museum that puts visitors in the art. Most art

museums don’t like to see their visitors take pictures, some going so far as to charge

them for the privilege. But this is not the case in the proposed Art museum. Here,

visitors are encouraged to interact and have fun with the art installations, taking as

many photos as they want. The museum is filled with unique 3D art paintings that

when photographed from a certain angle, create optical illusions that make it seems

like you’re a part of the art. By this, it will ensure understanding and appreciation for

various groups and cultures and promote a better understanding of our collective

heritage. It will stand as a fun and a knowledgeable learning center not just in Caraga

but to the Philippines as well. It will serve as a place where artists and collectors both

can approach. It's a place that creates a real social network for people who are

interested in arts.

The study of this proposal would be relevant in the participation of the

urbanization of Butuan City and even the whole Agusan Del Norte, to give a structure

that is accessible to all ages. The proposal would be beneficial to the masses for its

distinctive function to the area and thus, attracts tourism. People are free to visit the

various exhibits from aspiring artist and exhibitors around the country. This will also

give the chance to experience the vague line of education and entertainment.

Exposure of most talented kids and youth are essential in grabbing them away from

different vices and illegal acts to do more of these productive activities that will

eventually earn them money. This study does not only imply the urbanization in

Butuan City but also to the people who will be needing it the most; the welfare of

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youth's future, increasing the possibility of employment, decreasing down the

percentage of illiteracy, and erudition attraction for people who do so.

1.4 Scope and Limitation

The study focuses only to the extent of urban development, providing new

learning hub and adventure, a facility for exhibits, and local tourists’ destination for

educational purposes. This study will only base to the existing condition and

concerning to the development of the area/s covered by the boundary of Agusan del

Norte and with the aspect of design considerations, cultural sensitivity and the

preservation of traits of Butuan City. The study will also focus on the effectiveness of

accessibility, place-making, and efficient use of space. This proposal reflects the

challenges caused by the modern-day urbanization processes that will develop and

achieve this proposal project, it would include related activities that could passively

bring a new horizon of the proposed art museum experience. It will also study the

architectural solutions that will give improvements that apply to the said study.

However, areas provided will be limited to the study of orientation, usability,

functionality, and security for future clients and visitors for the museum and will not

go beyond the limitation of the study outside the covered location for the proposed

Art Museum. On the other hand, the researcher limits its scope to the field which

involves non-architectural study such as, structural design, and another engineering

scope of works.

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1.5 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

The museum will work within the community in Butuan City and likely to create

a symbolic landmark in the area. However, the design itself also demonstrates how a

well-designed structure can partially aid a cleaner circulation by providing adequate

spaces for parking and transient spaces.

As per Butuan City’s existing condition, the following are the possible solution

to such problems.

Tools in cleaner
Transient Parking
circulation

Adequate Parking
Spaces

The following are the studies and laws incorporating in the overall proposal as

amendments to design standards for museum.

Implementing Rules
RA 8492 - National
and Regulations RA
Museum Act of
10066
1998

RA 9514 - Fire Code BP 220 - PD 1096 National

of the Philippines Accessibility Law Building Code of
the Philippines

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The design approaches that will be included in the whole concept are:

 Fluid Architecture- Architectural fluid dynamics concerns the flow in and

around buildings. This flow is responsible for the ventilation of buildings and

the quality of the indoor air. Geophysical fluid dynamics, on the other hand, is

a study of flows for which boundaries usually only play a minor role.

 Tropical Design- the study of climate orientation where the design of the

building is based on the weather condition in the area. Addition of

architectural characters that pertains to adhering to the thermal situation inside

the building.

Basic Design
Principles Natural Ventilation

External features of the Air velocity in interior walls

building envelope. should be reduced to avoid
obstruction to air flow.

Sunshades and Sun protection devices on

openings

The guidelines presented above are one of the basics design principles of what

tropical design is. Since Museums are expected to accommodate a higher density of

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tourists and visitors, this theory for designing is very essential in providing thermal

comfort to the structure.

Museum Design
Guidelines

Identifying Building
Laws

Site Topography Road Access Transient Parking Docking Area

Condition Intersection

Parks and Benches Walkways Parking Areas

1.6 Review Of Related Literature

Museums have factors of considerations as to design its functionality and

space acquired. This corresponds to the different spatial variables that a museum

have. The late 20th century of a museum for history and artefacts the Sainsbury Wing

designed by R. Venturi with collections of the natural history of early renaissance

between 1260-1520, this was opened in 1991 in London, United Kingdom. These

collections focused only in a specific collections which were about the renaissance

era. The other museum that exhibits arts and crafts from Veronese in between the 13th

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 to 18th century which collected different sculptures and paintings in Verona, Italy by

an architect C. Scarpa which was opened on 1964, the Castelvecchio.

Since, museums co-interrelate to each other, the display strategies, however

are not similar focal focus. Examples of these are the Louisiana in Humlebaek,

Denmark designed by architect J.Bo&V.Wohlertand was opened in 1958. This was

originally a private collection of modern and contemporary art (after 1945). The other

one is the Kröllermüllerin Otterlo, The Nederlandsby H.van de Velde and opened on

1938 an originally private collection too of modern art (mainly of the 2nd half of the

19th c. – beginning of the 20th century. These only means that the mentioned

museums to the previous museums of arts and history are not only limited for a single

field of display but also cater and wide range of exhibits that capture the interests of

the people in it.

A museum is a permanent institution in the service of society and its

development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researchers,

communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its

environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.

Types of Museums

 Aquariums  Local & State History Museums

 Anthropology Museums
 Art Museums
 Art Centers
 Botanic Gardens
 Children’s Museums
 Historic Houses
 Historic Sites
 History Museums
 Military Museums
 Nature Centers
 Natural History Museums
 Science/Technology Centers
 Sculpture Gardens
 Transportation Museums
 Visitor Centers
 Zoos

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According to Architect/EnP. RS Gabitan from U.P, the following are the design

guidelines for designing a museum:

 A Careful study of circulation system / flow of viewers

- the spaces here are widely open as it requires people to visit without

blocking their views with partitions

 Provide vault for priceless collections

- this is very important in segregating a space intended for storage.

This is not the usual storage for utilities but it is a storage of important

collections that might require maximum protection against dust and

deterioration. The collections may vary from a very expensive value to a very

sensitive physical quality. The provision of vaults in the museum is the highest

consideration to include to.

 Adequate curatorial spaces

 Flexible service entrance for large exhibit materials.

- museums may vary in different types of exhibit, some are large

instrument or device, and some requires a huge space to place in. This is one

also to incorporate in a Centrum, wide open space so the huge materials and

objects for exhibit can freely move around the area

 Safety and security

- museums can be a home of most expensive and valued items, thus, the

security must be also maximized.

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List of existing 3d art museum :

 ART IN ISLAND in Cubao Quezon City.

 3D Art Museum Bangkok, Thailand.
 Illusion 3D Art Museum in Kuala Lumpur.
 Trick Eye & Love Museum in Seoul, South Korea.

Understanding human perception by human-made illusions

It may be fun to perceive illusions, but the understanding of how they work is

even more stimulating and sustainable: They can tell us where the limits and capacity

of our perceptual apparatus are foundthey can specify how the constraints of

perception are set. Furthermore, they let us analyze the cognitive sub-processes

underlying our perception. Illusions in a scientific context are not mainly created to

reveal the failures of our perception or the dysfunctions of our apparatus, but instead

point to the specific power of human perception. The main task of human perception

is to amplify and strengthen sensory inputs to be able to perceive, orientate and act

very quickly, specifically and efficiently. The present paper strengthens this line of

argument, strongly put forth by perceptual pioneer ( Richard L. Gregory ,2009)by

discussing specific visual illusions and how they can help us to understand the magic

of perception.

The Relationship between Reality and Object

Sensory perception is often the most striking proof of something factual when

we perceive something, we interpret it and take it as “objective”, “real”. Most

obviously, you can experience this with eyewitness testimonies: If an eyewitness has

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“seen it with the naked eye”, judges, jury members and attendees take the reports of

these percepts not only as strong evidence, but usually as fact despite the active and

biasing processes on basis of perception and memory. Indeed, it seems that there is no

better, no more “proof” of something being factual knowledge than having perceived

it. The assumed link between perception and physical reality is particularly strong for

the visual sense in fact, we scrutinize it only when sight conditions have been

unfortunate, when people have bad vision or when we know that the eyewitness was

under stress or was lacking in cognitive faculties. When people need even more proof

of reality than via the naked eye, they intuitively try to touch the to-be-analyzed entity

(if at all possible) in order to investigate it haptically. Feeling something by touch

seems to be the ultimate perceptual experience in order for humans to speak of

physical proof (Carbon and Jakesch, 2013).

Types of illusion

 An Optical Illusion is caused by info received by our eyes then wrongfully

interpreted by the brain. The main classes of illusions are Physiological and

Cognitive.

 Physiological illusions are caused by excessive stimulation of brightness,

color, contrast, movement, etc. Examples: Afterimages such as seeing "spots"

after getting a camera flashed in your eyes.

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  Cognitive illusions interact with our natural visual assumptions and are

misinterpreted. Cognitive illusions are divided into ambiguous, distortion, and

paradox illusions.

 Ambiguous Illusions are images that 'change' appearance right before our

eyes. Perception switches back and forth -- as available visual data does not

confirm a single view. Illusions that give the impression of motion also fall

into this group.

 Distorting Illusions produce distortions of scale, size, or curvature.

 Paradox illusions include images that are contradictory or not possible. These

illusions are caused by our brain's misunderstanding that adjacent edges must

join.

A new option for the visually impaired to experience 3D art at museums: manual
exploration of virtual copies

Visitors to museums are usually not allowed to touch works of art, which

means significant restrictions in the experience of art for visually impaired people. A

European research project (PURE-FORM), coordinated by PERCRO in Pisa, Italy,

indicates a new option. It aims to make possible manual exploration of virtual 3D

copies of works of art via a haptic display developed within the project. A selection of

statues has been digitized, and virtual 3D copies of them made available for touching.

The final goal is that a virtual library of statues will be created that is accessible at all

museums having the necessary equipment.(Gunnar Jansson,Massimo

Bergamasco &Antonio Frisoli)

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Museums as the center of learning

According to Illeris 2002,”The concept of learning plays an important role in

the construction of audience positions in contemporary museum and gallery education

and in museology”. As pointed out in several studies, learning is not a simple output

of teaching in the sense that learners learn what teachers teach. Learning processes

involve cognitive, emotional and social dimensions as well as different levels of

engagement and reflection . The constructivist point of view on learning, which has in

different ways been developed through studies like these, is that learners construct

their knowledge in a quite independent and personalized fashion, connected to

individual learning styles as well as to a broad range of socially and culturally

embedded factors. An important consequence is that educational settings should aim

at stimulating learning processes by providing learners with access to many different

paths to knowledge.

Museums and Art galleries as partners for public health interventions

As indicated by Paul Camic & Helen Chatterjee (January 2013), “The majority

of public health programmes are based in schools, places of employment and in

community settings. Likewise, nearly all health-care interventions occur in clinics and

hospitals. An underdeveloped area for public health-related planning that carries

international implications is the cultural heritage sector, and specifically museums and

art galleries”. This paper presents a rationale for the use of museums and art galleries

as sites for public health interventions and health promotion programmes through

discussing the social role of these organisations in the health and well-being of the

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communities they serve. Recent research from several countries is reviewed and

integrated into a proposed framework for future collaboration between cultural

heritage, health-care and university sectors to further advance research, policy

development and evidence-based practice.

Visual quality and relationship

Human visual system involves the eye and brain working together to interpret

the visual environment (art gallery). The optical elements of the eye form an image of

the environment on the retina by absorption of the light (spectrum). To form an image

of the target on the retina, light has to be transmitted through the eye without

excessive absorption and scattering, and the image of the target has to be focused on

the retina. According to Lang (2012), “Visual quality is one aspect to assure that there

is enough light for users to see and perform their daily tasks without eye strain”.

Lighting has a significant effect on how human perceive the world, and maintaining

visual quality is a crucial factor in aiding human perception. The human visual system

is an image processing system. It involves the eye and brain working together to

interpret the visual environment. The eye will form an image of the target on the

retina from the optical components (the cornea, crystalline lens, and pupil). For this to

occur, light has to be transmitted through the eye without excessive absorption and

scattering, and the image of the target has to be focused on the retina (Mark, 2000).

Human visual system has to be functional well by adapting to the prevailing light

condition. The human visual system able to process information over an enormous of

luminance's, but not all at once. To cope with the light exposition from night to the

sunlit, the human visual system changes its sensitivity through a process called

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adaptation. When the visual system is not completely adapted to prevailing retinal

illumination, its capabilities are limited (Cooper, 1995). “Human visual quality can be

achieved in 2 conditions through visual performance and visual comfort”.

Visual performance and visual comfort

Review from the IESNA Lighting Handbook (2000) stated,” visual performances are

concerns with the limits and visible of the visual system's capabilities”. The quality of

visual performance depends significantly on the characteristic of the lighting speed

and accuracy, and the visual system of the observer. Among the variables visual

performances characters are:

(i) Light distribution

Light distribution important on the effects target luminance contrast and color

contrast. Light distribution around the target can be controlled by the characteristic of

luminance (type of luminance housing/casing), the light spectrum, and the light

distribution technique (direct lighting, indirect light and direct-indirect light.

(ii)Visual size and location of the target

For a target to be seen, it has to be larger than a minimum size. The relevant size of a

target is an angular measure and depends on the physical dimensions of the object

itself; the angle of inclination of the target from normal to the line of sight; and the

distance from the viewer. Size can be measured in a plane of two dimensions as a

visual angle or a volume in three dimensions as a solid angle, as shown below:

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(iii)Luminance and luminance contrast

For a target is above the minimum size, it will be visible only if it differs from

its immediate background in luminance or color. If it differs in luminance from the

immediate background, the target has a luminance contrast. Luminance contrast may

result a target are darker than background or brighter than target. When a target and

its background are both diffuse reflectors (example a matte material), the illuminance

contrast is not affecting by changing the illuminance, so the luminance contrast can be

calculated from the reflectance.

(iv)Color difference

Visual targets that are larger than the minimum size but have the same

luminance as the immediate background is zero luminance contrast. It can still be

discerned by differences in color. Color difference can be highlighted between the

colors of the object (artwork) and the immediate background (wall and partition).

Additionally, such as cognitive factor as perception and expectation affect the

measurement of the detect ability and recognition of the target. Despite visual

performance, visual comfort is a key factor in human visual quality. Visual comfort

can prevent symptoms and cause of visual discomfort - red, sore, itchy, and watering

eyes; headaches and migraine attacks. There are many different of lighting that can

cause visual discomfort. Insufficient light is an obvious problem of visual discomfort

such as - glare, shadows, and veiling reflections. According to Rutter (1997),” most

commonly reported display-design problem is glare and contrast as most of these

complaints came from the age of 40 and above crowds”.

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(v)Glare

Glare happens in 2 situation. First is too much of light and large range of

luminance in a visual environment. Others factor influence the glare occurs is

reflective material surface and the angle of light.

(vi)Shadow

Shadows occurred when light intercept by an opaque object. The effect of

these shadows can be overcome either by increasing the proportion of inter-reflected

light by using high-reflectance surfaces or by providing local lighting in the shadowed

area. If the object is small and close to the area of interest, the shadow can be cast

over a meaningful area, which in turn can cause perceptual confusion, particularly if

the shadow moves.

(vii) Veiling reflections

Veiling reflections are luminous reflections from specular or semi-matte

surfaces that physically change the contrast of the visual task and consequently

change the stimulus presented to the visual system. The two factors that determine the

nature and magnitude of veiling reflections are the viewed speculative of the material

and the geometry between the observer, the target, and any sources of high luminance.

Gallery and museum exhibition lighting

“In the gallery and museum design, lighting are use to interpret displays and to

shape viewers perceptions of their experience. Lighting can be adjusted to emphasize

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changes in mood, highlight elements or banish to a shadow when necessary”

(Wagiman, 2011). Light focused towards display known as an accent light while

background light is ambient light. Accent light is brighter than ambient light creating

light stability of light in space. “The relative contrast between exhibit and the

background gives the exhibitions its drama and focuses the visitors’ attention on

display”. (Hughes 2010) according to Rea(2000)” lighting divided into 3 categories,

direct lighting, indirect light and direct-indirect light. Example of direct lighting is

spotlights and wall wash light while indirect light is a turn reflects light downwards

designed light. Direct-indirect light is a combination of both categories”.

Basic guideline of lighting position

Lighting position is relates with the display type, display setting, ceiling height

and amount ofdisplays. In normal practice, art gallery exhibition installed with ceiling

mounted light either direct or indirect light. For vertical display, ceiling mounted light

is installs in 30º angle position with specific formulate distance of ceiling height - the

human eye level + 577mm. This calculation creates a minimum distant parameter for

the viewer for good visual experience. However, for freestanding display it is easier

where the ceiling mounted installed at the center of the display position.

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The Senses: Design Beyond Vision

According to Cooper Hewitt (October 2018) “ Across all industries and

disciplines, designers are avidly seeking ways to stimulate our sensory responses to

solve problems of access and enrich our interactions with the world,” Sensory design

recognizes that we understand and navigate the world with all five of our senses.

Organized into nine thematic sections, The Senses demonstrates that by opening up to

multiple sensory dimensions, designers reach a greater diversity of users. Maps that

can be touched as well as seen facilitate mobility and knowledge for sighted, low-

vision, and blind users. Audio devices translate sound into vibrations that can be felt

on the skin. Tableware and kitchen tools use color and form to guide people living

with dementia or vision loss. These innovations are beneficial to all users as sensory

design enhances awareness of the body and creates new emotional terrain through its

stimulation of our visceral responses.

Designed to be an accessible experience welcoming to visitors of all

abilities, The Senses’ exhibition features labels with key elements in braille and a

custom smartphone app that will connect visitors to exhibition content via text or

audio. Additional accessibility features include T-coil–complaint audio devices and

audio descriptions explaining the visual content of videos. The museum will also offer

dynamic descriptive exhibition tours of The Senses with trained museum educators, as

well as programming for visitors with sensory differences.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

Gallery - a corridor/hall that is patterned for walk showing different exhibits along
with it.

Vaults - a room storage for collection with a specific temperature to conserve the
items of instrument from damage. It also acts as a security and safety of the said
collections.

Booths - a room/space where the displays of handicrafts. It is also for manufacturing

and making of these with exposure to the public.

Multi-purpose Hall – ideal for small group gatherings, meetings, workshops and
cultured events with technology for presentation.

Souvenir Shop – sells different items promoting the culture and history aspects of the
City.

Reception Area – an area to provide guidance and rules in gathering and living the
museum.

Virtual Exhibition Hall with Booths – a virtual strands or booths which exhibits
information related to navigation layout of the different online booths within the
exhibition hall.

Administration office – a place where business is transacted or a service is supplied.

Finance, public relation and program are the divisions with specialized function
taking under this management.
Information Center – a guest relation and informal table for visitors in need of
assistance.

Conference Room – a conference, meeting and assembly space for any presidential
confrontation with institutional department heads in relation to the development of
the facility and its objective.

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