Materials Research : Zainul Art Museum

As I am going to design the museum in my country, I looked into one of the recent museum that is built last year. I have also visited that museum. These museum is an historical museum which showcases military artifacts from the liberation war in 1971.

The museum receives a lot of natural light during the day because to the low-emissivity glass dome, which gives the space a balanced brightness. Additionally, the dome is protected from overheating by the material. The ground floor of the museum is composed of marble, and the floors on the higher levels are polyurethane. Metal and glass combine to create the display shelves. The proper use of all these materials and the reflecting finishes significantly brightens the atmosphere of the museum. For the greatest transparency possible from every angle, the railings are also made of glass. In addition to natural light, each space has its own specific artificial lighting. Dramatic effects have been added within certain screens using low-level illumination. Sunlight, on the other hand, enhances the atmosphere and ambiance of the place. The building as a whole is artificially ventilated and air-conditioned, which also includes dehumidifying.

While researching on other countries museum, I also looked at Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar and I am also considering the weather so in Qatar, the weather is dry and the museum location I decided is Bangladesh, which is a humid country. Noble materials were used in the building's construction, including architectural concrete from Qatar, the cream-colored Magny and Chamesson limestone from France that covered the external facades, the Jet Mist granite from the United States, and stainless steel from Germany. Stainless steel was used for the dome's structural support and to illuminate the atrium's core area. A dampening screen constructed of aluminium acoustic bars protects the huge glass wall facing the Gulf from the light and outside noises. In contrast to the light-colored stone seen throughout the rest of the Museum, the galleries are constructed of dark grey porphyry stone and Louro Faya, a Brazilian lace wood that has been brushed and polished to give it a metallic look. The rooms feature carefully made cabinets and lighting to protect the delicate antiquities on show. Wilmotte also made unique furnishings for the museum, drawing inspiration from Pei's architectural design.

After researching into two different kind of museums and environment in two different countries. I started to research about the materials which will be suitable for my project and also considered the sustainability of that material.

Concrete :

I think concrete is an amazing, environmentally friendly building material. Even in the face of disasters caused by nature or mankind, its strength is evident, providing security and tranquilly of mind. The longevity of concrete further enhances its appeal, guaranteeing that investments in concrete structures last for many generations. Furthermore, concrete's environmental consciousness are improved by the huge reductions in CO2 emissions generated during its production. Concrete's natural capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and a variety of combinations make it possible for suppliers, designers, and their clients to actively reduce carbon footprints. Additionally, concrete's potential to be recycled when its useful life is over attracts to those who care about sustainability. Its environmental value is increased by the knowledge that this locally available material, which is mostly composed of local limestone, avoids the need for huge transportation.

Low-emissivity glass :

Low E glass is simply regular clear glass with a tiny, transparent surface coating that reflects heat better than the glass itself, resulting in a composition with a lower emissivity than regular glass. Low-E glass windows may block solar radiation and have a high energy efficiency. To ensure that the most daylight is getting inside, they also permit natural sunlight to pass through. This occurs without the room becoming heated by sunlight. Therefore, glass with a low E coating keeps the space inside the space cooler by reflecting solar thermal energy from outside and keeps any structure warmer by reflecting a greater percentage of heat back into the building. 

Brick:

I would say that brick is a particularly environmentally friendly building material over its whole life cycle. Due to the fact that it is formed from clay and shale, it has a special environmental advantage. Brick and concrete both stand out for their low material, energy, and resource use during building, which makes them responsible choices. Practically speaking, brick is well suited for environments with high wetness since it can breathe and let water escape. Clay, the primary ingredient of brick, has a high density, keeping the inside of the house comfortable all year round by keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Marble:

I consider marble to be a compelling form of rock that is created when a combination of rocks is exposed to high heat and pressures. Being a natural stone, marble has a natural eco-friendliness that makes it extremely amazing. Marble doesn't require industrial production, unlike other materials, so there is no pollution or energy use during the manufacturing process. While the process of harvesting marble necessitates labor, it does away with the necessity for machinery that release hazardous gases, protecting the environment. The possibility of future usage and capacity to be recycled make marble a wonderful material that is even more sustainable than it already is. Marble is an extremely durable material that can survive fire, heat, wind, rain, and other extreme weather conditions. Additionally, marble's cost benefits both people and the environment. People can save money while prioritizing environmental preservation by choosing marble instead of other produced goods that have negative effects during production.

Stainless steel :

Stainless steel, a remarkable substance that stands out for its fundamental sustainability, fascinates me. The endless recycling potential of stainless steel without sacrificing quality is one of its amazing features. It is recyclable endlessly, and each time it goes through re-solidification, the material regains all of its original functional characteristics. Compared to non-metallic materials, which deteriorate after each recycling procedure, stainless steel does not. Additionally, stainless steel is essential in advancing technology, which raises the standard of living for many people. Compared to those constructed from other materials, machines, buildings, and objects made with stainless steel have much longer service lives. Stainless steel requires little maintenance because of its resistance to fire, chemical harm, and corrosion. 

All of the materials, I talked about their usage and sustainability are available in Bangladesh where I am designing my major project so there will not be extra transportation cost.

References:

March, K.S. and Supriya, K. (2022) Bangabandhu Military Museum: When architecture brings bravery and history to life, The Business Standard. Available at: https://www.tbsnews.net/features/habitat/bangabandhu-military-museum-when-architecture-brings-bravery-and-history-life (Accessed: 15 May 2023).

Bangabandhu Military Museum (2022) Nakshabid. Available at: https://nakshabid.com/projects/bangabandhu-military-museum/ (Accessed: 15 May 2023).

Zilliacus, A. (2016) 16 materials every architect needs to know (and where to learn about them), ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/801545/16-materials-every-architect-needs-to-know-and-where-to-learn-about-them (Accessed: 15 May 2023).

GCCA (2021) Sustainability benefits of concrete. Available at: https://gccassociation.org/sustainability-benefits-of-concrete/ (Accessed: 31 May 2023).

8 advantages and 2 disadvantages of low E glass (2022) ClaytonGlass. Available at: https://claytonglass.co.uk/news/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-low-e-glass/ (Accessed: 15 May 2023).

3 main benefits of low E windows (2023) Harvey Windows & Doors. Available at: https://harveywindows.com/inspiration/ideas-advice/3-main-benefits-of-low-e-windows-harvey-windows-doors (Accessed: 15 May 2023).

Dorokhova, V. (2022) How are Clay Brick and concrete products sustainable?, Mutual Materials. Available at: https://www.mutualmaterials.com/how-are-clay-brick-and-concrete-products-sustainable/#:~:text=Brick%20is%20made%20from%20the,during%20its%20entire%20life%20cycle. (Accessed: 31 May 2023).

Admin (2022) How sustainable is marble?, Indian Natural Stone Exporter,Manufacturer,Supplier & Factory. Available at: https://www.regattaexports.com/how-sustainable-is-marble/ (Accessed: 31 May 2023).

BS Stainless Limited (2020) Stainless steel and Sustainability, BS Stainless Limited. Available at: https://www.bsstainless.com/stainless-steel-and-sustainability (Accessed: 31 May 2023).

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✅ The Museum of Islamic art - data, Photos & Plans (2020) WikiArquitectura. Available at: https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/museum-islamic-art/ (Accessed: 15 May 2023).