DESA1002 'Continuous City' <Sonny Oh>

Abstract

People of many religious groups believe Jerusalem to be the chosen city of the god they worship. They are forced to live in this chaotic environment that is in constant clash between beliefs. This idea has been explored in the design of a new museum located at the east of Jerusalem. The proposed design is situated within close proximities to the adjacent buildings; there is a long, narrow walkway leading to the museum which allows visitors to experience the anticipated journey towards the building. The exhibition spaces within the building is essentially divided into four groups of the main religious groups, with their own archive / library spaces allocated. The visitors will experience these spaces by entering through strictly allocated entrances to each exhibition space and will be welcomed by a reception and transluscent secutity gates. The visitiors will have the option to choose to travel via ramps / bridges that connect the spaces throughout the levels (roof garden provided with no boundaries to be used as a gathering place for all;contrast to the overall setout of the builing). The chaotic circulation through the building shapes the inner (courtyard) walls of the building whilst in contrast the outer walls are more geometric to exhibit the artifacts. The artifacts that will be on display in this museum will be act as the face of each religion, allowing visitors to experience its origin and its identity. The chaotic nature of the building reflects the city of Jerusalem constantly struggling to make sense of the unification of the different religious groups.