Museum of Polish History by Architecture Studio Zerafa

The challenge of building a new Museum of the History of Poland today involves a consideration of the historical relations between identity, collective memory and national cultural traditions within a global context. The design of the museum and the work of user experience to provide an essential spirit of the Polish identity as well as being significant for visitors from around the world represents a challenge for our times. We believe the solution lies in the power of history to enlighten, teach and improve relations through the conclusion of the ideas of human aspirations. The idea of a “collective memory” of a nation, which is inherently fragmented and individual in relation to the “collective psychology” that represents the common ideas of a group and its goals is the starting point of our design.

For the proposed museum, we took a bold step by reversing the usual type of exhibition space. The entire program is designed exhibition galleries as 10 monolithic three-dimensional objects, a dramatic start in the gallery space therein defined as interior.

Exposing the galleries to be seen around, adds a critical dimension to the program scale, typically one that is not legible on the experience of a museum. The galleries are endowed with great strength and a monumental scale, although many of them floating in space, supported on virtual pedestals. Is the complexity of the dual expression of monumentality and lightness that defines the contradiction within the experience, celebration, and individual view of the museum. The 10 subject-galleries are juxtaposed to each other both vertically and horizontally to create a composite three-dimensional cube within a larger volume. The objects are then pushed in and out like drawers creating a series of internal voids and interstitial spaces dramatic.

The six outer surfaces of the object-galleries, ie the sides and upper and lower offer multiple possibilities as display stands. Moreover, in this configuration, the “between”, or space can be accidental represent important opportunities for surprising contemporary exhibitions and / or traveling events.

The ten “boxes” containing the 5 divisions chronological permanent exhibition program, two temporary exhibition spaces, and areas of an educational display. The free membership does not determine the volume distribution of the permanent galleries but also provides a flexible environment for multiple interpretations of how galleries can be arranged and the relationship between them. The upper gallery is a 12m-high volume that is projected over the eastern facade and the roof element forming a “tower” suspended in the museum.