Cyprus Archaeological Museum, Nicosia building proposal architecture, Cypriot property images

Cyprus New Archaeological Museum in Nicosia

4 November 2024

Architect: GilBartolomé

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Renders: Unboxed Visuals

Cyprus Archaeological Museum Building Design

Located in Nicosia, Cyprus, GilBartolomé’s design proposal for the competition for New Museum of Archaeology aims to establish a dynamic cultural landmark that reflects Cyprus’ unique archaeological heritage.

Our purpose was to celebrate the rich Archaeological patrimony of Cyprus with a building that would present to the visitor a taste of the marvels that await in its interior. We are inspired by the idea of mystery and awe that Archaeology can thrill.

This can be a great first catching point that can lead the visitor to the museum to desire a further acquisition of knowledge, passion for the discipline of Archaeology, admiration for the materials on show and, finally, pride for such a rich patrimony that reveals the nature of Mediterranean civilization and of Cyprus as a nation. We designed it with the visitor in mind, his sensations, how to provide a joyful and memorable experience. This is, in our view, the only way to put up a successful museum, and a meaningful one, as knowledge and experience are acquired in depth if excitement is triggered beforehand.

To embody this vision, we developed an architectural language rooted in a pointillist composition of terracotta elements on the building’s exterior and a pointillist interplay of light within. The terracotta not only withstands weather and provides environmental benefits but also resonates with the archaeological theme and museum artifacts.

The use of handcrafted techniques and curved surfaces in this material adds impact through a harmonious blend of delicacy and roughness, modernity and timelessness. This thoughtful design prioritizes the visitor’s experience, creating a joyful, memorable journey that enhances learning and forms a meaningful connection to Cyprus’ archaeological legacy.

The building is directed towards human structure of emotions and understanding; in other words, directed towards a general direct human impression, not necessarily mediated by culture, architectural or museological discourse. This might sound pompous but it is an idea that has been important, at least, on the level of intention. In this sense, it has been about what you get from craftsmanship in a building generally, rather than representing a particular culture of craftsmanship with a specific set of values.

In our experience, craftsmanship in architecture has great values and it is not true that intensive labor buildings are more expensive. On the contrary, we have demonstrated that intensive labor on site with raw materials can reduce costs to a half and even to a third against industrialized metal roofs, concrete shuttering and internal and external claddings.

But craftsmanship is not the only element of design to be considered here, not even the most important, it is geometry, circulation, space, color, and all the other architectural aspects that the building has that will be more relevant to the user and that can be read into the plans, sections and images.

The museum is planned with a simple circulation. From the plaza it is possible to reach the lobby through a ramp or a set of lifts. From there, after security, you find the ticketing office with the audio guides and cloakroom desks. Then you can enter the permanent exhibition, which is to be walked following a sequence of historical eras in two levels. Or, on the right, enter the temporary exhibition that is to be toured in one level. The shop is to be found at the end of both exhibitions and the cafeteria and restaurant are under the lobby easily accessible via lifts or the ramp.

New Archaeological Museum in Nicosia, Cyprus – Building Information

Project name: Cyprus Archaeological Museum
Architecture firm: GilBartolomé – http://www.gilbartolome.com/
Project location: Nicosia, Cyprus
Tools used: software used for drawing, modeling, rendering, post production and photography: Rhinoceros, Autocad, Photoshop, Keyshot
Principal architect: Pablo Gil and Jaime Bartolomé
Design team: Sergio Herreros, Ignacio Basterra, Marcos Núñez

Built area: 23000 sqm
Site area: 60000 sqm
Design year: 2017
Completion year: 2017
Collaborators: Mecanismo Ingenieria
Visualization: Unboxed Visuals
Client: Cyprus’ Ministry of Culture
Status: Unbuilt. Placed 4th at the competition.
Typology: Museum

Visualization: Unboxed Visuals

Cyprus Archaeological Museum, Nicosia images / information received 041124 from GilBartolomé

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus, southeastern Europe

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