Processo do projecto IMOA- International Museum of Astronomy en Deserto Atacama, Chile

Abstract

The theoretical and practical parts of my dissertation work are connected together in the process of research and investigation of the problematics of design for a public building; an artificial object, which is placed in the territory of vast uninhabited natural landscape, such as deserts and mountain passes, or any abandoned empty areas on the planet Earth. The conclusion and results are presented in the form of text and corresponding image gallery alongside it. The aspects and necessary considerations of placing a "New" building into "Old" pre-existent natural environment are divided into three chapters, by their geometrical and visual characteristics. The perception and impression of such objects is strongly related to the direction and distance of observation, the characteristics of the present natural landmarks and elements and the desired relationship, which should exist between the building and the nature. The research work is followed by practical application of gained knowledge on the project of the International Museum of Astronomy in Atacama in Chile, which is the case study of the investigation. The relevant elements and aspects of implantation of such a building into natural landscape are described in the conclusion of the project and the related chapters of the text. The main goal of this work is to point out and describe the important considerations and aspects of the design process of placing public buildings in open natural landscapes, so that a harmonic formal relationship between the building and the nature can be achieved. The visual quality of such projects is just as important as the environmental- and eco- friendliness, and should not be overlooked. Sadly, that is a common case in modern architecture.