National Gallery of Art | BIG

National Gallery of Art

The proposal envisions a circular-shaped structure situated on the rocky summit and steep of a fjord. At the center of the “perfect circle” large 3000 square meters and modeled according to the topography of the site, which for shape and color looks like an iceberg drifting, BIG insert an animated green garden with contemporary sculptures.

The textured outer façade of white concrete will gradually smooth by the action of atmospheric and climatic factors that characterize the area, while the glass walls that divide the central garden from the interior will allow natural light to penetrate to the heart of the building.

The circular shape of the gallery enables a flexible division of the exhibition space in different forms and scales. Entry to the building is via an opening elliptically shaped, obtained by a slight elevation and facade leads into a lobby with an 180-degree view of the sculpture garden and the fjord, where the public functions of the museum are included including the ticket office, wardrobe, boutique, and cafe.

The project, which won OF THE SPECIAL international competition, was developed with TNT Nuuk, Ramboll Nuuk, and Arkitekti, and has met the proposals signed by Snøhetta studies (Norway), Komonen Heikkinen (Finland), Studio Granda (Iceland) and Tegnestuen Nuuk ( Greenland).

Project Info
Architects: BIG
Location: Nuuk, Greenland
Collaboration: TNT Nuuk, Rambøll Nuuk, Arkitekti, MIR, Glessner Group
Client: Nunatta Eqqumiitsulianik Saqqummersitsivia
Partner in charge: Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Pedersen
Project Leader: Jakob Henke
Team: Daniel Selensky, Ji –young Yoon, Gul Ertekin, Aleksander Tokarz, Alessio Zenaro, Johan Cool Nicklas Antoni Rasch
Size: 3000 m2
Year: 2011
Type: Museum