Switzerland-based architecture firm Harry Gugger Studio recently collaborated with Boston-based firm Over, Under, to build and construct Central America’s largest Mayan history and culture museum called Museo Maya de América located in the city of Guatemala.
The new museum will occupy the Northern end of L’Aurora Park and will be home to a diverse collection of historical relics taken from the Mayan regions.
The exterior of the construct is completely covered in stone, featuring openings throughout the building to allow natural sunlight and natural ventilation to flow in. The interior design will feature traditional Mayan architecture found in temples, with a courtyard in the center called a cenote, a traditionally natural sinkhole that is “open to the sky and lushly planted, the eight-storey cenote functions as the heart of the museum, its displays, and its activities,” says architect Roberto de Oliveira Castro of Over, Under.
What's Driving This Trend
- Sustainable Architecture
- Opportunity to incorporate sustainable materials and design principles in the construction of museums.
- Cultural Heritage Preservation
- Opportunity to showcase and preserve historical relics and artifacts in museums.
- Integration of Tradition and Innovation
- Opportunity to blend traditional architecture with modern design elements in museums.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture
- Architects can explore innovative ways to incorporate sustainable materials and designs in their projects.
- Museum and Galleries
- Museum curators can focus on preserving and displaying cultural artifacts in an engaging and sustainable manner.
- Tourism and Travel
- Travel companies can promote the unique experience of visiting museums that seamlessly blend tradition and innovation.
