Museum of Polish History
Competition: 2009
Warszawa, Poland
Type: Culture - History Museum
Client: Muzeum Historii Polski
This proposal for the new Muzeum Historii Polski (MHP) and surrounding historic landscape sets out an inclusive museological and urban concept. On an urban scale the scheme references a 1920’s idea of a connected green avenue along the edge of the historic Skarpa Warszawska; this is articulated and integrated through a series of public spaces between the buildings set in the park. The museum building invites this connective landscape to enter its public areas and its exhibition and educational programs to spill out into it. This strategy is reinforced by shortcut through the building to a new MHP sculpture and outdoor exhibition park, creating an open forum space fully engaged with its context.
The new MHP building, bridging disparate parts of the scarp, presents a strong image for the institution but at the same time sits respectfully in its local context, particularly the Ujazdowski Palace. The new building will be close enough to have a strong relationship with the palace and engage its users to participate in the functions of the museum, but not so close that it overpowers its neighbour.
The symbolic gesture of the new MHP is made not through a monument, but a democratic space encouraging interaction, exploration and a multitude of interpretations of the nation’s many histories – people will discover their history rather than be told what it is. The museum, like its physical connections to its context, allows multiple readings and weaves together stories, events and learning.
