Museo del Oro Precolombino
The new Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, located at the heart of downtown San José, in the subterranean modern masterpiece building below the central Plaza de la Cultura, holds one of the most relevant archaeological collections in Costa Rica and the world. Its new design reimagines the museum experience as a space for learning and interaction.
Located within one of the most iconic buildings in Costa Rica, the main goal of the project was that the design would reimagine the museum experience. It was key for the team and Client to respect and integrate the building’s unique existing conditions.
Agency
Gensler
Practice Area
Client
Fundación Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica
Industry
In an entire museum overhaul, the first since 2002, the design team worked closely with the museum’s museographers and museologists over a period of 2 years, to create a fully integrated museum experience that brings together the architecture, history and visitor experience in a holistic and flowing way. The team designed a concept based on the notions of exploration and amazement, emphasizing the buildings iconic triangular grid and raw materiality, through the use of concrete, wood and a space grey finish, creating an optimal contrast for the display of the gold artifacts that are the main focus of the museum.
A continuous ribbon element leads the visitor through the exhibition spaces in a fluid, intuitive and yet free manner while incorporating new advanced LED lighting in a way of creating something new that at the same time lives harmoniously with the existing.
The project was ultimately about respect and human connections across the ages: to bring the pre-Columbian people and their living ancestors to life through a meaningful interaction with the visitor. The final result is a new museum experience and intriguing educational environment, in a space that incorporates an ideal mix of exhibition, resting areas, learning areas and new interactive technologies.
95% of the existing museum displays where harmoniously integrated into the new design.
Andrés García Lachner
The respect and integration of the building’s unique existing conditions was one of the main goals of the project to reimagine the museum experience.
Andrés García Lachner
The design incorporates an ideal mix of exhibition spaces, resting and interpretation areas, and new interactive technologies.
Andrés García Lachner
New areas where designed to allow for rest and reflection for all age groups.
Andrés García Lachner
The design concept is based on notions of exploration, amazement, learning and interaction.
Andrés García Lachner
Concrete, wood, and space grey finishes where used to create and optimal contrast for the display of gold artifacts as the main focus of the museum.
Andrés García Lachner
The project is ultimately about respect and human connections across the ages; bringing the pre-Columbian people and their living ancestors to
life and make a meaningful interaction with the visitor.
Andrés García Lachner
Project Details
Design Team
Gensler
Photo Credits
Andrés García Lachner
Open Date
January 2019