Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg

Project Description

Södra Vägen 54, 41 254 Göteborg, Sweden

Situated at the foot of a hill, the museum is a new platform for the collections of the four ethnographic museums of Sweden. The new building has an auditorium, a research center, a library, restaurant and administrative offices. The building also serves as a new forum for international and local events. The building is a simple and compact container uniting the contemporary and traditional cultures of mankind. The strategy consists of a clearly marked difference between a solid west side containing the gallery spaces and offi ces along the street and an open east side toward the hill where public activities take place. The latter on the one hand reveals the museum’s rich interior to the 3 million people who visit the neighbouring Liseberg Park annually, while on the other it allows the museum’s visitors to experience the exterior landscape from a variety of different vantage points. Between the solid west and the open east is a canyon-like zone containing the building services. The public circulation weaves its way through the three areas.

As one goes up the building, the elements which were seen from below are gradually perceived from above, creating a sequence of reference points throughout the building with alternating views of the hill, atrium and museum.

Summary: A new major national museum including exhibition galleries, university research centre, library, 200-person auditorium and restaurant
Project Value: £ 26 000 000
Completed: 2004
Area: 10 950 sqm