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, caf, shopping, etc.

SYNAGY BETWEEN USES

Lurking, regulars, public lobbys, 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.
Curators 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,
reinstallation spaces.
Elaine Heumann Gurian 2006