Leon McAnally’s Post

🏛️ The Jewish Museum in Berlin: A Journey Through History and Emotion 📚 The Jewish Museum in Berlin, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, is not just a museum—it’s an emotional experience. The architecture itself is meant to evoke feelings of disorientation and anxiety, reflecting the tumultuous history of the Jewish people in Germany. Architectural Highlights: Zigzag Design 🌀: The building’s zigzag shape, often described as a 'disjointed Star of David,' creates an unsettling pathway through the museum. Void Spaces 🕳️: Empty, unheated voids run through the building, representing the absence and loss experienced during the Holocaust. Garden of Exile 🌳: Tilted columns and uneven ground in the garden create a sense of instability, mirroring the dislocation of Jews during exile. Visiting the Jewish Museum in Berlin is more than an architectural tour—it's a powerful journey through history, designed to make you feel the weight of the past. Check out our latest article for an in-depth look at this architectural masterpiece. Read More https://lnkd.in/e_KRJZnV 🔍 Have you visited the Jewish Museum in Berlin? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments! 👇 #Architecture #JewishMuseumBerlin #DanielLibeskind #HistoricalArchitecture #EmotionalDesign #ConstructionNews

⚪ Heritage Alert : Update ⚪   Following the 2019 #HeritageAlert, ICOMOS, ICOMOS Danmark and ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on #20thcenturyheritage (ISC20C) welcome recent indications that plans for the demolition of the internationally recognised modernist #VikingShipHall of the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde have changed. 🏆The winning design of the architectural competition proposes a separate new hall with modern exhibition facilities for the 5 Viking shipwrecks, while the old hall is to be preserved, although partly altered and used for public events. Another important feature of the winning proposal is the transformation of the surrounding landscape to withstand the regular flooding from the Roskilde fjord. ⏳ The funding to conserve the historic hall has not yet been secured: the approach to the future use of the original Viking Ship Hall and the recognition of the site’s cultural significance will be important factors as the project progresses. 🌐 More information: https://buff.ly/3Qhx9ar

Our latest book, “How can we live together?,” is now out – see link below for more info and to purchase the book. This publication documents the GHETTO exhibition, which was displayed at the Museum of Vancouver between August 23, 2023 and January 1, 2024. GHETTO originally exhibited at the European Cultural Centre (ECC) 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale and Art Gallery of Ontario (2022) before travelling to Vancouver.     For the MOV exhibit, GHETTO proposed a theoretical rezoning project in Vancouver’s False Creek and sought to encourage meaningful dialogue on our collective responsibility to care for one another through the creation of inclusive cities. “How can we live together?” highlights the public input on a housing survey, which was gathered from over 15,000 visitors during the Vancouver exhibition. More info: https://lnkd.in/gWZ-X5bC Purchase: https://lnkd.in/gXBTubGW     “‘The exhibit was meant to articulate to the world the potential of our CAC process and to transform it from condos into other things,’ says Henriquez. ‘But also, it was meant to generate talk about larger global issues of people in need around the world as well. And so that’s what the survey was trying to measure… to what extent are people self-interested, and to what extent are they altruistic in terms of their aspirations to help people who have less than them?’”  – excerpt from essay by Kerry Gold

Watch our episode on Liknon: A museum rooted in Greek culture. Link to full interview in the post:

As an experienced carpenter specializing in the restoration of 18th-century clerestory buildings in Virginia, I've encountered numerous challenges that arise from a general misunderstanding of these historical structures by untrained builders. Clerestory buildings, characterized by their high windows above eye level, were designed to provide natural light and ventilation, a concept often overlooked in modern architecture. This fundamental aspect of their design is frequently misunderstood, leading to improper renovations that compromise both the aesthetic and functional integrity of these historic buildings. In my work, I've seen many instances where untrained builders have attempted to "modernize" these structures without respecting their original design. For example, replacing original woodwork with modern materials not only detracts from the building's historical authenticity but also affects its durability. The wood used in the 18th century was often old-growth timber, which is denser and more resistant to decay than most wood available today. Ignoring this, untrained builders often use less suitable materials, leading to a faster degradation of the structure. Another common issue is the mismanagement of the clerestory windows themselves. These windows are crucial for light and air circulation, yet I've seen many cases where they have been inappropriately sealed or replaced with glass that doesn't match the period. Such alterations not only disrupt the building's historical character but also its internal climate control, which was originally designed to rely on natural ventilation. It's essential to use restoration techniques that maintain the original functionality of these windows while preserving their historical appearance. https://lnkd.in/gH3TtTmJ

I find that the Museum of the 20th Century (M9) in Mestre is a well-designed building. It integrates seamlessly into the urban fabric of the metropolitan city of Venice. It strives to be innovative, aiming to look forward, and it does so in an attempt that, considering its context, I find commendable. Upon closer and more meticulous inspection, some technical solutions and the placement of elements could have been done with more care. But I repeat: we can forgive it, given the international scope that this project has had for the Venetian hinterland (and which it still desperately needs). However, there is an error, in my humble opinion. The museum is not visible. I don't see it from the town square (which should be a privileged viewpoint). I don't see it from the sides or the back, although I notice its presence with a slow approach and a gradual discovery. Almost as if it were an opening in the urban fabric, but coherent and gentle (and I appreciate this). But it remains a fact: I know it's there because I am from Mestre. Perhaps I will be reproached that "visibility" is not a measure of success. I accept it, but not here and not in this place. There would be two solutions: either demolish the barracks that block the view towards Piazza Ferretto (Heaven forbid! A historical heritage where even Cavour spent a night! In my opinion, we should ask Cavour how he spent the night and then decide). Anyway, I was saying. Dismissing the first hypothesis, even though very valid, the only one left would be to make itself seen by rising towards the sky. A tower. Well, there you have it. I had fun, for my enjoyment, imagining a possible "TowerM9". Not a glass tower though! We've had enough of these transparent facades. A tower of masonry walls? Where sharp and targeted light enters? Where only the central core is made of glass, and you gaze towards the Alps on one side and the Lagoon on the other. It may not be liked, maybe I don't like it either. Generally, I don't really like anything about the projects I do, at least not until the end. But it's a different solution.

Reflecting on my architectural master's thesis, which explored the integration of cultural heritage sites into modern urban cities. The project centered on the transformation of the ancient city of Skupi, envisioning it as both a cohesive archaeological site and a contemporary hub, drawing inspiration from Roman typologies while prioritizing long-term adaptability. Years later, the relevance of this topic persists, as current urban plans propose future developments in these zones, often overlooking the nearby ancient site. A link between the old and the new is still nowhere to be found.

Read about the timeless charm and modern challenges of Paris in one of my latest articles. https://lnkd.in/gNRY3Kyf

The design of the AFRICAN MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE, LAGOS, serves a dual purpose: to showcase and preserve the community's rich cultural heritage and to act as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth. This project aims to provide a dynamic space for education, entertainment, and cultural exchange, featuring artefacts, artworks, and exhibits from diverse cultures worldwide. Concept Development: “Afrofuturistic architecture is the fictional futuristic rebirth and renaissance of traditional African architecture infused with advanced science and technology,” by Emmanuel Ogundiran, 2023 This concept provides a unique departure from conventional designs, incorporating futuristic elements while staying deeply rooted in the continent's cultural heritage. Utilizing both tangible and intangible African methods alongside indigenous materials, the museum aims to be a beacon of Afrofuturistic architecture—symbolizing a futuristic rebirth and renaissance of traditional African architecture. Form Development: - The four isolated forms represent THE PEOPLE, THE ART, THE SPIRITS and THE PERFORMANCE THEATRE. This creates four different entry access to each building therefore controlling the pedestrian movement efficiently. - While this form choice decision has many practical benefits, like better natural lighting, all-round aeration and circulation, and high energy efficiency, the unique cones reflect and pay homage to the early stages of precolonial African Architecture, like the traditional Musgum buildings in Cameroon, the local homes in Ethiopia and other dome-traditional huts found around Africa. - As done in Yoruba Architecture and many other tribes in Africa, the courtyard is a sustainable and cost-efficient way to increase the overall comfort and lighting levels in a building. Though the courtyard is covered with a transparent material to allow natural light, the top brim of the building provides a clerestory to allow air and enhance the stack effect principle. - To increase accessibility from within each mass, three interconnecting sky bridges were added on three different floor levels. This will significantly improve pedestrian traffic in all buildings. - The African mother’s wrapper is widely known to be iconic and it symbolises the motherly intimate care and unifying bond between the mother and her child. Just as the mother uses the native African fabric material to unify and hold the child onto her body, fluid bamboo panels are used to bind the four isolated forms into a single harmonized entity. Therefore, brings a sense of a traditional community. This museum is not just a building but a statement of cultural pride, sustainability, and forward-thinking, poised to educate and inspire future generations through the lens of afrofuturism. #3d #architecturedesign #3D #animation #museum #interiordesign, #Nigeria #Europe #Luxembourg #sustainabledesign #architect #ArchiproAtelier #design

I have recently published two articles. The first one is an exhibition review for "Beyond: Tadao Ando and Art" at Curator: The Museum Journal. In this paper, I tried to explore whether an exhibition about a well-known architect is a challenge or opportunity. This exhibition at HEM was certainly pleasant but also reveals that big name's exhibition is quite tricky. The other one is about Chinese rural revitalization through art at International Journal of Arts Management. This interesting case study of Qingtian reveals a different project approach, which contains a well-balanced stakeholder management. The entire community and its relationship to the arts is continuously observed. #TadaoAndo #ArchitectureExhibition #Qingtian #RuralDevelopment https://lnkd.in/gK2BFgAD https://lnkd.in/gEjcHvSZ