SCIENCE-FICTION MUSEUM

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE-FICTION IN WASHINGTON DC

Location

Washington DC, USA

Promoter

MOSF

Result

Entry – International Design Competition

Year

2014

Design Team

Sergio Bianchi, Matteo Luconi

The theme of a temporary museum suggested the idea of a frame, a metal structure echoing port trusses where containers could be hang.

Containers offer two major positive features: they are cheap and they can be moved.
They can travel. Travel is what science fiction is all about: travel in our inner selves first and travel in space and time.

Containers of the Museum of Science Fiction are meant to travel from different places and to move inside the Museum.

Exhibitions can be set up in containers in different places in the country and also abroad, then they can be shipped to the museum where they can be lifted in place, plugged in and…ready for the visitors to come. Containers also travel inside the frame. They can be hang at different height levels offering three different layouts.

The passing from one configuration to the next offers a show on its own. It’s like watching a live transformers movie.

To make it simple every move is on a linear basis. There are only two motions: vertical and horizontal. Containers go up and down on a simple rack and pinion mechanism attached to the steel hangers. Then the hanging racks can move horizontally and containers can be joined to create wider spaces.

In any configuration, according to American Access for Disabled Act, access is provided by ramps and elevator.

In any moment of the year the structure should be open and free.

The only spaces you pay to get in are the containers that actually house the exhibitions. The rest is free,

a large scale sculpture to be accessed and discovered.

Three 40’ containers and a set of four joined 20’containers house seven exhibitions modules. One set of two joined 20’containers at the top most level house restrooms and IT/server room. One more set of two joined 20’containers house manager’s office and gift kiosk.

Ground level is free. The main frame is made of galvanized steel, and so are the stairs. Steel structure with bolted connections allows the frame to be easily disassembled, transported and reconstructed in a different site. Containers are cheap and easily transported.