MUSEUM SPACE PROGRAM

PLANNING

AND THEIR RELATION TO

BUILDING NEEDS

ELAINE HEUMANN GURIAN

2006
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 INTRODUCTION
• This slide package is intended to use with
groups whose museums are undergoing
physical change.
• It is intended to begin the conversation with
those unfamiliar with architectural program
planning to understand that it is narrative
based and can be a helpful discussion for
architects.
• This is obviously not comprehensive but a
start toward understanding process.

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

 MUSEUM INTENTION
• OBJECT CENTERED
– Study Storage
• NARRATIVE
• CLIENT CENTERED
– Learning theory
– Visitor Services
• COMMUNITY FOCUSED
– Social Services co-located
• NATIONAL
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 MUSEUM ECONOMICS
• FEES
– Free or entrance charges
• MIXED USE SPACE
– Other agencies, special events,
performances, café, shopping, etc.
• SYNAGY BETWEEN USES
– Lurking, regulars, public lobby’s, etc.
• HOURS
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 LOCATION
• NEUTRAL SPACE
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• WALKING STREETS
• URBAN VS PARK-LIKE
• INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PROGRAM

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

 INTENDED AUDIENCES
• Who are the primary visitors?
• Who are other essential groups needing
special space consideration?
• GROUPS
– Schools
– After-school and community
– Elderly
– Tourists
• ACCESSIBILITY
– Handicapped
– Well Elderly
• SMALL SOCIAL GROUPS
– Families
– Young adults Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 EXHIBITION PHILOSOPHY
• Tone and style
• Layering
• Relationship with audience
• Co-curating and audience response.
• Curator’s voice
• IPod and other technology

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

 EXHIBITION SPACE
• Temporary exhibition program. How often
do you change. How long does
reinstallation usually take?
• Where do the temp galleries need to be?
• What kinds of security and climate control
do you need? Do you need the same for
each gallery?
• What kinds of responsiveness do you want
to plan for?
• Wireless and other electrical considerations.
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 TONE AND STYLE

• WAYFINDING – Can I find my way?

• WORD CHOICES – formal or
conversational.
• LINGERING – watching, regrouping,
strolling encouraged?
• MIXED USE – visiting for reason other
than gallery viewing encouraged?
• AMENITIES – seating, conversations,
toilet design.
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

• Can the visitor do unrelated activities?

• Is it encouraged?
• Meeting up places?
• Family friendly food service, grouping.
• Access to more information?
• Access to storage?
• Greeting?
• Audience input?
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 STAFF NEEDS
• Where are the staff offices?
• Who is sitting next to who?
• How many need to be on-site?
• How many in total?
• Where are the meeting rooms? How
many do you need?
• Are there private offices?
• Will exhibitions be created on site?
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 OUTSIDE AND TRANSITION
• Can the outside be programmed?
• Can the outside encourage other uses
(food market, music, seating)?
• Is there outside space needed past
the admissions barrier?
• Can there be inside park-like spaces?
• How difficult is it to find the site?
• How daunting to enter the building?
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006
 ADJACENCIES
• What needs to be next to what?
• How do school groups enter and
leave? Where do they go during the
visit?
• How is the building used for functions?
• Where are the shops, cafes,
regrouping, special entrances,
security?
• Loading docks, crate storage,
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006

reinstallation spaces.