At the onset of my experience in the building, I was mesmerized by the Pre-Columbian Museum. Initially, I found the transparent gift shop to be a modern addition to the classical feel. It is in fact that harmony of contemporary renovations with the existing classic structure (provided by the old customs house) that made for the perfect museum venue. In particular, I my appreciation for the architecture of the building stems from the second floor exhibits. To me, the transparency that the display cases created across the second floor brought out a connectivity throughout the building. As you know, the building was structured with an open courtyard and two walkways. One walkway is adjacent to the courtyard and the other went through the various rooms. It was the display cases that Radic chose which created the beautiful transparency we see today (See attached interpretation). By having the back wall of the display cases be made of glass, it allowed for those walking around the courtyard balcony to admire some exhibits yet not take away the more prominent focus of the ambient light and the courtyard below. Flipping the coin, when you are walking though the exhibits and looking at the artifacts held within the display case, you focus on the pieces yet have a subtle reminder of the inner-walkway, the courtyard below, and the displays whence you came from. This instrumentation of transparency used by Radic will always resonate with me. He was able to connect the building, remind you of various aspects of the museum, and create a more wholistic experience through the simple choice of glass panels for the back of display cases. I am really looking forward to more building interpretations in the week to come.
