A Temple for Hilma (2016-2017)
Brief summary
Hilma af Klint (1862 - 1944) was a Swedish artist and a pioneer of abstract painting. More than 110 years after producing the arguably first abstract painting in modern art history, she is still waiting for her due recognition - and a home for her collection.
The objective of A Temple for Hilmais to design a structure to house the work of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, located in Stockholm, Sweden. Alongside the af Klint collection, the design should incorporate a secondary space for e.g. temporary exhibitions, lectures etc. - the exact function of this space is left to the discretion of each participant.
The building concept should be influenced by af Klint’s art and life. As long as choices and interpretations are clearly communicated in the proposal, it is up to each participant to decide which aspects to focus on, and how the influence should be interpreted.
Consider the link between the design of the building and its function, both externally and internally: is it the building itself that is the attraction, or is it the art that it houses? Can it be both? Does it have any benefits alongside showcasing art? How should an art museum relate to its immediate context as well as to the rest of the city? Can a building be an icon without necessarily looking iconic? What is the relationship between inside and outside? Can a space enhance the experience of art? Is it possible to convey to the visitor what af Klint was feeling?
The museum should serve as a beacon for Hilma af Klint, signalling her presence to the world. This is an opportunity to translate the mind of a true pioneer into a physical building - her temple.
The site is a located on Lidingö, a large island in Stockholm, Sweden. It lies within walking distance of public transport hub Ropsten - easily reached from the city centre - as well as of Millesgården, historically the residence of renowned Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, now one of Sweden’s most acclaimed sculpture gardens and galleries.
Awarded proposals
1st prize - The Temple for Hilma by Andrea Chan
JURY’S COMMENTS: Mesmerizing and deep, The Temple for Hilma presents a wonderful way of experiencing Hilma af Klint, each visitor being led on a journey within the museum. The idea of displaying the art in specific and color-coordinated spaces promises to be truly immersive and unique, and shows an understanding of and connection with af Klint’s work and movement. Layout, building, storytelling and how you move through the influences of her work and life make this project stand out. The presentation is beautifully illustrated with a painterly/graphical language, and the well-written text brings yet another dimension to the proposal by highlighting the spiritual aspects of af Klint’s life and further visualizing the visitor trajectory. Rather than simply providing space for her art, The Temple strives to be a part of the experience, seeking to convey af Klint’s ambience to each visitor in a physical way. Overall, the project is quite dearing and seducing, just like Hilma af Klint’s art.
2nd prize - Hilma’s Garden by Amy Wong and Sarish Younis
JURY’S COMMENTS: A very well executed project that successfully considers af Klint’s enthusiasm for nature, synthesizing a tangible relationship between art, built environment and nature. The proposal seamlessly guides the visitor through buildings and landscape alike, focusing on the courtyard to help promote a sense of exploration and adventure. A constant visibility and presence of the art from inside as well as outside the buildings – and the sense of transparency – creates an intimate, human scale of the architecture. Its smaller scale and the fragmentation of the spaces makes this a museum you would like to visit, not only for the art, but for the journey through the site. Plans are well thought out, drawings very strong and the visuals pleasant, all in all an elegant, evocative manner of representation that strengthens the concept.
3rd prize - Depository by Tobias Johannes Haag, Lukas Brecheler and Yonne Luca Hack
JURY’S COMMENTS: A successfully represented “archive museum” concept. Even though specific thought hasen't been given to each category and cycle in af Klint's substantial body of work, it presents a convincing thought on how this collection may live on in the near future, and the proposal excellently translates Hilma’s hybrid art movement into architecture. The presentation shows how the massing and form of the architecture translates into a symbol of the breadth and signficance of the artist and her collection. The curvature of the shoreline and position of the road dictates the shape of the museum without it feeling forced: the narrow building almost forces the visitor to always experience the art in the same way. The illustrations give a wonderful sense of space vibe and have an aesthetic quality, even on their own.
Honorable mention – Habitat for Abstraction by Asger Høegh Christiansen, Rasmus Helleskov Wieleman and Nanna-Rose Reinevald Broch
JURY’S COMMENTS: The graphic representation of spaces here is simple yet lovely, with the architectural volumes being interesting and logically laid out with appropriate scale for each intended use. The curiosity of af Klint is evident in the organisation of the collection, exploring a variety types of scales and flows for the different groups of artworks.
Honorable mention – Hilma af Klint by Samuel Quagliotto
JURY’S COMMENTS: The proposal offers a beautiful journey through the building as well as presenting a convincing way for visitors to experience af Klint’s art in an intense maner through architectural innovations. The presentation is well put together with appealing visuals and colors. Plans are well executed, spaces well thought out, with the fragmented nature of the architecture creating pocket spaces that come together as a whole.
Honorable mention – A Temple for Hilma by Gaspard Journet, Joshua Thomas How, Cesar Tome Pizarro, Elisa Lopez Lucas and Luca Tesei
JURY’S COMMENTS: An absolutely beautiful exploded axonometric drawing, explaining the layout but also showcasing the complexity of spaces and layering within the building. The attention to both the spatial experience and to the collection gives purpose to the museum, rendering the proposal a temple vibe.
Editor’s choice – Temple for the Pictures by Jana Culek
