Morphology of Exhibition Spaces for Designing a Water Museum

Kolodin Konstantin ORCID: 0000-0001-7197-9824 PhD in Architecture Associate Professor, Department of Architectural Environment and Landscape Design, St. Petersburg University of Architecture and Civil Engineering 190005, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, 2nd Krasnoarmeyskaya str., 4 kolodinstudio@bk.ru Skurlatova Ekaterina Postgraduate, Department of Architectural Design, St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) 190005, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, 2nd Krasnoarmeyskaya str., 4 skurlatova.katarina@mail.ru

Cherepanov Petr Postgraduate, Department of Architectural Design, St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) 190005, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, 2nd Krasnoarmeyskaya str., 4 chepert98@gmail.com

Relevance of the study

There is no doubt that the design and construction of new museum complexes is a powerful factor in maintaining interest in St. Petersburg from both tourists and residents of the city, which will further lead to the development of the entire infrastructure surrounding the exhibition multifunctional complexes ^[1]. The relevance of designing these facilities should be based on the context of the territory, the environmental approach and the transport structure. However, the traditional obstacle to the creation of new museum complexes is the priority of the construction of commercial buildings and residential buildings. This obstacle can be overcome due to the uniqueness and innovation of the museum and exhibition complex, which in the future is likely to become one of the brands of the city ^[2]. A "Water Museum" can be proposed as a unique and innovative object, conceptualizing the image of St. Petersburg as a sea and river city.

With this approach, special attention should be paid to water itself as a physical and chemical substance, which becomes one of the interior and exterior components of the museum and exhibition space. The use of water and its aggregate states in the creation of an architectural project will ensure environmental versatility and structure the work of the entire complex in terms of its tourist attractiveness.

Research methodology: Based on a brief analytical review of existing museums of this type, consider water as a physical and chemical substance, whose properties should become one of the components of an architectural project.

The scientific novelty of the presented research lies in the compilation of a unique typological scheme for the creation of a fundamentally new approach to the design of a multifunctional complex based on the morphology of water conditions. Based on the results of the main sections of the study, conclusions were formulated regarding the potential of water use in spatial structures, as well as recommendations for the design of multifunctional complexes of a new type.

The purpose of the study: To analyze the possibilities of using water in architecture, as well as in creating unique exhibition spaces, and based on the analysis of the selected research object (the "Water Museum" in the structure of the Lenexpo quarter in St. Petersburg) to indicate the potential attractiveness of this complex for the further development of tourist infrastructure.

Within the framework of this study, the most relevant formation of the object and its location in the structure of St. Petersburg will be determined. The typological components of the project will also be revealed. Finally, recommendations on spatial and planning solutions will be offered, taking into account the use of water texture.

The object of the study is the qualification project "The Museum of Water in the structure of the Lenexpo quarter" (St. Petersburg). The study was based on a detailed structural analysis of this project from the point of view of the morphology of exhibition spaces and the influence of the water component on the architecture of the multifunctional complex.

The subject of the study is the architectural and planning solutions of three exhibition spaces based on aquatic morphotypes of the Museum of Water complex in the Lenexpo quarter in St. Petersburg.

Examples of water museums

At all stages of the development of architectural objects involving the use of water, the attitude towards this substance was exclusively domestic and utilitarian in nature. Over time, the mythological component of the relationship to water has acquired both cultural and ideological value, growing with new meanings, myths and legends. Water has gradually transformed from an everyday natural resource into an important architectural component ^[3]. New typologies of museum objects related to the direct use of water as a component of the exhibition content began to appear in modern architecture ^[4].

For example, a project with an atypical structure of the outdoor space formation attracted great public attention not so long ago. It was a new water feature (Fig.1) developed by WET, a company based in Los Angeles, California. The company is engaged in the integration of innovative ideas into architecture, as well as the design of production complexes and engineering systems. The project was named "Water Feature" and was implemented at the Dubai World EXPO 2020. A little earlier in 2009, the same company created another project in Dubai – the Dubai Fountain ^[5].

Fig. 1. Waterfall "Water Feature" at the Dubai World EXPO 2020.

 The company managed to create an attractive and technologically unique architectural object based on a different typology of environment formation. The novelty of the typology lies in a non-standard way of attracting visitors through the use of new techniques developed by WET to demonstrate the overall progress and sustainable development of architecture as the main concept of the world exhibition EXPO 2020.

This example clearly proves that the project's investors understood the importance of creating an object of this kind as one of the brands of the EXPO 2020 exhibition. His concept is based on the influence of water on architecture as one of its components. An innovative approach and unique technologies have made it possible to create a successful and memorable object, which has become one of the centers of attraction for visitors at the Dubai International Exhibition.

Another example of non-standard familiarization with water in the museum space are underwater museums: Atlantico Lanzarote in the Canary Islands and the Mexican underwater museum Musa in the Caribbean ^[6]. The main exhibition of the latter is located underwater and is a gallery of large-scale human figures. Sculptures under water have their own composition, they carry a certain thought and idea. The artists and organizers of the exhibition, which attracts tourists from all over the world, managed to create a unique object of its kind, successfully combining the visualization of humanitarian images with the physical texture of water.

An example of a similar facility in Russia is a demonstration aquarium with fresh Baikal water in the building of the Baikal Museum in the village of Listvyanka (built in 2004 on the shore of Lake Baikal). The concept of the museum space is based on the idea of temporary involvement of visitors in the Baikal ecosystem. The successful project was the main factor in the growth of tourist flow to the region, as well as the commercial development of the surrounding area. In addition, the Baikal Museum aroused the increased interest of the population and specialists in the topical environmental problems of the region.

An example of a museum space using the image of water in St. Petersburg is the Universe of Water Museum ^[7]. The curators of the exhibition are trying to incorporate the imagery of this object into a recognizable brand in the implementation of marketing and economic projects carried out by the museum. However, the architecture of this building is far from an urban symbol that works as a popular logo (Fig.2).

Fig. 2. The Universe of Water Museum in St. Petersburg.

Review and research of the three-dimensional model of the "Museum of Water"

The subject of the article is a comparative analysis of the above examples with its own developed project "The Museum of Water in the structure of the Lenexpo quarter".

The project was developed for the territory of the quarter in the southern part of Vasilyevsky Island of St. Petersburg. The plot of 13.65 hectares has a long embankment along the Galley Bucket – part of the water area of the Gulf of Finland. Significant marine-related objects are located on the territory of the quarter - the Marine Station, the museum of the Submarine D2-Narodovolets, the monument to the sailors of torpedo boats (Fig.3). Thus, the already existing marine water infrastructure makes the choice of this quarter as the location of the object expedient and relevant ^[8].

Fig. 3. The project of the Water Museum. The master plan of the projected site. The territory of Lenexpo (author Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

The design of the museum quarter is carried out along compositional axes, in the direction from the embankment to Cash Street. This shift creates an original structure of residential groups – an important component of the territory. The front of the houses with corner sections gives the composition a clear rhythm. For contrast, houses with curved shapes are presented along the embankment. Public spaces and zones (school zone and DDU) also correspond to a given style. The orthogonal grid of functional zones with a contrasting combination of objects is completed by a multifunctional complex of complex structure and shape in the southern part of the quarter near the water area on the square of Maritime Glory.

The Water Museum creates its own chamber structure inside the quarter. There is a connection with the embankment, the environment has been developed ^[9]. Transport accessibility and transit to Cash Street are provided, as well as parking areas for staff and visitors. The museum object provides a compositional connection with the Seaport. The facilities of the complex are located expediently from the point of view of creating a functional environment ^[9].

The formation in the environmental spot of the museum complex is symbolic. The main and accompanying buildings, with their geometric outlines, lead to the symbol of the water formula – "H2O". The main object, the building of the Water Museum, resembles the letter "O" in its elliptical shape, while the buildings of the scientific center for the study of water are associated with the Roman numeral "II". And finally, the environment surrounding the main entrance group to the museum is designed like the letter "H" (Fig. 4). Thus, the combined symbolism of the project gives a clear understanding of the main idea of the entire museum complex.

Fig. 4. The project of the Water Museum. The plan of the 1st floor for room +0.000 (author Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

The concept of this project is based on the idea of creating a unique spectacular object with a complex structure, namely: the idea of a multifunctional complex with a museum function as the predominant one. In addition to the museum area, the complex provides research and shopping and entertainment functional subgroups.  

The internal exposition of the museum part of the multifunctional complex widely demonstrates water, interpreting its texture from the point of view of history, culture and ecology. The exterior of the building of the multifunctional complex is executed in the style of modern symbolism ^[10].

The facade of the courtyard of the object is made in the form of a single waterfall (Fig. 5). Such a facade can offer visitors various shows within the framework of the museum program (Fig.6). Rainwater is collected, purified and reused using special equipment. Additional water tanks and drive mechanisms are located on the technical floor with a special typological design map.

Fig. 5. The project of the Water Museum. A fragment of a longitudinal section (author Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

Also, within the framework of the project, an environmental approach to the design of the complex and its surroundings was worked out ^[11]. The appearance of outdoor furniture, small architectural forms, sculptures and art objects are associated with water. The details of the main facade of the building are also symbolic.  As an example, you can point to stylized dripping drops, spears of ice, snow covers and steam clouds.

Fig. 6. The project of the Water Museum. The inner facade (by Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

The main solution is to create a conceptually new museum and exhibition space. The aggregate states (Fig. 7), fractions, chemical and physical properties of water can have a direct impact on the functional zoning of the museum complex.

Fig. 7. Schematic chemical representation of the aggregate states of water. Ice, liquid water, water vapor (from right to left).

During the design, the optimal method of vertical zoning at several levels of the museum space was identified:

· Level 1 – Liquid state - water. A new way of moving around the museum and viewing the exposition in a circle was applied. Visitors are provided with swimming boats on which they can cruise along an artificially created channel – the “River of Time". The exhibition space allows you to get acquainted with the objects of cultural and scientific work related to water. It is possible to consider the exposure in the water column, the reflection of water, in drops of various sizes and fractions. The architectural and planning solution of such an exposition was executed as an internal river channel with a connected system of fountains, waterfalls, artificial geysers and water surfaces. They are synchronized in time and type of presentation for museum visitors. The appearance and shape of the interior spaces of the museum is determined by the emotional and mental associations of a person associated with water. From the point of view of the technical implementation of the project, additional engineering solutions have been developed to ensure structural strength and duration of operation while simultaneously waterproofing all structural elements and communications in compliance with all norms of thermal and humidity characteristics (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8. The scheme of showing functional zones in the exposed space "River of Time" (author Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

· Level 2. The solid state is Ice. The conceptual principle of the part of the exhibition space dedicated to ice and snow called "Pipe". It is formed according to a similar typology. Visitors enter the snow-covered climate zone, where they are given the opportunity to explore the ice exhibits. The exposition allows the use of snow and ice for both scientific and entertainment purposes. Architectural and constructive solutions were suggested with artistic associations with the crystal structure, color scheme and texture of ice and snow (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9. The scheme of showing functional zones in the exposed space "Pipe" (author Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

· Level 3. Gaseous water is Steam. The physical and visual properties of steam made it possible to create a unique typology of the demonstration of the exposition in the exhibition space "Pipe". The methods and principles of visualization of architectural and structural solutions used in this zone resemble the methods and principles of visualization in the already mentioned zones of water and ice.  Transition to a tropical climate zone with a planned humidity volume of steam, viewing exhibits through a steam curtain using unique light installations and landmarks.

Below is Table No. 1 with a typological layout of the morphology of exhibition spaces, identified during the development process for optimal use and non-stop functioning of the museum zone of the multifunctional complex:

Table No. 1. Typological morphology of the exhibition spaces of the Museum of Water

In the process of developing the components of this project, two main volumetric morphotypes were proposed: a round open space for compositional formation of the courtyard and a looped pipe as a form of exposure of flowing water, ice and steam. Vertical differentiation made it possible to obtain two working levels.

The general functional division of the museum part of the complex into exhibition areas for various aggregate states of water was also decided taking into account the physical texture of the mentioned aggregate states.  Taking into account the weight, density, as well as the unequal ability of water to fill space in different states, both vertical and horizontal zoning of the complex was applied (Fig. 10). The technical support of all the typologies listed above is presented in the form of an additional general technical floor with a unique set of service rooms. Engineering solutions combine all methods to achieve visually demonstrative effects of exposure to aggregate water conditions using drainage systems, integrated pumping stations and refrigeration generators.

Fig. 10. The project of the Water Museum. A cut along the wall (author Skurlatova E.A. under the guidance of Kolodin K.I.).

Marketing, cultural and scientific activities are important aspects of popularizing water as the main component of a multifunctional complex: 1) development and further popularization of new environmental methods for the production and conservation of water; 2) charity events, seminars and actions to finance programs for the conservation and rational use of water; 3) sale of souvenirs related to water topics and other commercial activities ^[12]; 4) the possibility of renting the premises of the complex for temporary exhibitions and other events.

Appeals to opponents

A preliminary analysis of previously published studies and a review of the available literature on the topic under consideration suggests that this project has no direct analogues in the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, the Universe of Water Museum in St. Petersburg is not able to compete with modern technological solutions that have appeared in world architecture over the past decades. In addition to the fact that this museum is located in the building of a former 19th-century water tower and therefore cannot incorporate architectural morphotypes of water, the organization of the exposition itself follows outdated museum standards. This does not allow this museum to function as a center of tourist attraction. In addition, St. Petersburg currently does not have any exhibition space that would promote and develop the image of the city as a maritime and river center.

Also, during the development of this project, the article by Mukhitova R.K., Minnegulova Z.N. "The River Museum as a new form of preserving the ethnic historical and cultural heritage of peoples" was studied in detail, the research materials in which are very close to the topic we have stated. There is no doubt that the conclusions reached by the authors of this work are relevant for the museum and exhibition infrastructure of modern Russia. It is impossible not to agree that in our country at the moment there is a shortage of permanent exhibitions designed taking into account aquatic morphology. However, the authors of the analyzed article, in our opinion, lacked scale and innovation in solving the issues they raised, which is reflected in the lack of reinforcement of the author's theses with substantial project proposals.     

In addition, a review of available research on the synthesis of architecture and aggregate states of water made it possible to make sure that most authors primarily emphasize the symbolic and historical value of water as a component of architectural projects. For example, it can be expressed in the symbolism of the external form (a drop, a boat, a sail). Without abandoning this direction, which has already become traditional, the proposed project carries the potential for future development of the architectural direction based on the use of various aggregate states of water. Today, there is a clear demand for such an architecture all over the world, as evidenced by annual conferences, research and development. In addition to a carefully designed visualization, this project offers a concept that is accessible not only to researchers, which can claim to be a center of tourist attraction.

The conclusions of this study

According to the main sections of the study and the analytical review carried out, the following conclusions can be formulated:

1. The construction of a museum multifunctional complex in St. Petersburg with the involvement of existing international architectural developments will significantly increase the tourist flow. The unique and innovative facility will be able to transform into one of the recognizable brands of the city in the future.

2. This study confirms the expediency of such a location of the complex: in a large tourist center associated with a marine theme, as well as having direct access to the water.

3.   The study emphasizes the need to create a new methodology for the formation of architectural space based on human knowledge about water, the promotion of its conservation and use.

4. This study has revealed new functional architectural components based on three states of water – liquid, solid and gaseous. The aggregate states of water, their appearance and physical properties make it possible to differentiate the museum and exhibition space in a new way. The ability of water to act as a spectacular object as such, taking into account the textural features of its aggregate properties, was also proved and justified.

5. The conducted research demonstrated the prospects for further development and design of architectural spaces of this kind in Russia, taking into account the world's innovative developments.

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