MUSEUM OF BRIDGHING THE GAP

The Museum of Bridging the Gap seeks to utilize diffused daylight as a strategic element to emphasize specific artworks. To achieve this objective, we propose a dual-building system designed to create a diverse range of lighting conditions. This system aims to effectively signify the transition between school life and casual life by dividing a single structure into two distinct forms. One form is characterized by transparency and lightness, while the other is more enclosed and substantial. These contrasting architectural expressions represent the two different aspects of life.

Each building form incorporates a unique skylight system tailored to its function and symbolic meaning. For the section representing school life, we employ a saw-tooth skylight system that diffuses direct sunlight, fostering an environment conducive to reflection and learning. In contrast, the casual life section utilizes geometric extrusion spotlights, which not only direct light precisely onto specific artworks but also sculpt the interior space through controlled illumination. This approach enhances spatial perception and accentuates the informal and exploratory atmosphere of the casual life area.

The building site is located at the University of California, Irvine, situated at the precise intersection between the campus's internal business district and its internal learning area. This strategic location ensures that people naturally pass by or walk through the site route to various parts of the campus. This unique context makes it particularly appropriate to focus on campus life as the basis for the museum's design, enabling the space to seamlessly integrate with its surroundings and serve as a bridge between different aspects of daily life.

The design considers the multifaceted qualities of life—light and heavy, casual and cautious, direct and indirect—and weaves these elements into the overall architectural and spatial experience. Through this thoughtful interplay of forms, lighting, and symbolism, the museum not only bridges the gap between school and casual life but also celebrates the dynamic rhythms of campus life itself.