An art museum set in San Luis Obispo, California, “A Hole Lot of Art” explores connecting its inhabitants to the beyond through the study of punctures. The concept of using holes to create an architectural experience began with the beginning study of widgets, or 3” x 3” spatial sculptures. Letting the material of various widgets inevitably create cuts, cracks, holes, and caves in their constrained shape lead to the most curious formal qualities. This inspired the overall formal approach to the museum, allowing a simple shape to peel and puncture according to the needs of its environment – or in this case, the community.
The final design proposal includes coffers in the ceiling on the ground floor to act as public art displays, opening the museum up to the entire community. Punctures in the double-layered brick facade provide passive cross ventilation and indirect lighting for the artwork. A large cylindrical hole vertically spearing the floor plates provides radial circulation throughout the museum. Permitting something sacred to puncture and break allows a new connection or relationship with what wasn’t allowed before but was always just on the other side.
Widgets
Four 3” x 3” sculptures that provided various random formal explorations. Unintentionally, the material of all widgets had produced similar characteristics of holes, punctures, and peels. Plaster, spray foam, and wood.
Refining the Widget
A diagram showing the process of molding the necessary museum program within the natural shape of a widget.
Final Section Model
Physical section model at 1/8” scale of the final design proposal. Laser cut basswood, acrylic for glass, vacuum formed plastic for coffered ceiling, and stacked museum board.
Site Model
Physical site model showing the relationship of the final widget and the site in San Luis Obispo, CA. Wood on stacked museum board.
Final Model
An image of the final model with both sections fitting together seamlessly.
Coffer Diagram
An image showing how digital art can be projected up into the coffered ceilings on the ground floor, using hidden punctures to create accessible art for the community.
Ground Floor Render
Rendered image of the public ground floor of the museum.
Circulation Diagram
An axonometric view of the radial circulation around the center circular void. Public circulation is dark blue, orange is admin, and private/museum circulation is light blue.
Ali Harwood Design 