The Ulster Museum: Is It a Treasure or a Reaction to Its Turbulent Past?

2500 Words5 Pages

Introduction pg. 2

Historical background of the Ulster Museum pg. 2

Context pg. 4

Description of spaces pg. 5

The Potential step forward pg. 5

Conclusion pg. 6

Bibliography pg. 7

Books pg. 7

Journals pg. 7

Internet pg. 7

Introduction

This museum has been in transition at pivotal points of its historical time line thus far. It begs the question though, does it work as an architectural treasure of Northern Ireland or is it a reaction to turbulent periods in Belfast’s history. Within this critique it is hoped that it can be proven that this museum has gone from a prestigious neoclassical style building standing alone on the southern edge of the botanic garden, to an embracing contextural architectural element that is trying to make a correlation with is surroundings. It’s this embrace of the public however with the recently new redevelopment has taken the true architectural meaning and integrity of Wynnes neoclassical block that integrates with Pym’s brutalist modern style.

The new addition of glazing to the gallery and café spaces designed by Hamilton architects has marred the beauty of this integration is slowly striping away from its concrete block. The ulster museum is considered as one of the best examples of two styles fusing together as one architectural expression. The ulster museum is at another pivotal point where it has to make a decision to place capital gains over the true architectural integrity brutalist forms paired with neoclassical style.

Historical background of the Ulster Museum

The First Age

Originally the Ulster Museum was founded as the Belfast Natural History Society ...

... middle of paper ...

...P, “The Ulster Museum: An Appreciation”, Perspective, Vol. 16, Issue no. 4, July/Aug 2007, pg.30

Ancell, H., “Final bid to halt Ulster Museum extension plan”, Building Design, Issue no. 1784, Aug 2007, pg. 6

Dorrell, E., “Refurb row at Modern Museum”, Architects Journal, Vol. 225, Issue no. 6, Feb 2007, pg. 14

McGarry, M., “Ulster Museum 2009, Perspective, Volume 19, Issue no.1, Jan/Feb 2010,pg. 30-35

Internet

Ulster Museum, http://wikipedia.org, site visited 25th April 10.04 am

http://archiseek.com/2007/francis-pym-ulster-museum-belfast/

http://www.hamiltonarchitects.co.uk/news/19-2010/70-ulster-museum-wins-art-fund-prize

http://www.fobbg.co.uk/history2.html

http://www.fobbg.co.uk/palmhouse.html

http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/,"The Crystal Palace of Hyde Park". Retrieved 26th April 2014.

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/community/cemeteries/friarsbush.aspx

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