Dumbo Biology Museum

This experimental museum proposal explores how mathematical proportion and biological structure can inform contemporary architectural form. The building’s geometry draws from natural growth patterns found in marine life, using logarithmic curves and proportional systems to organize circulation, galleries, and exterior public space. Rather than applying these rules decoratively, the design uses them as an underlying framework that shapes massing, orientation, and spatial flow.

The primary gesture is a sweeping, shell-like concrete volume that anchors the museum and establishes a recognizable identity. Its curvature guides visitors through the main public zone while revealing sectional shifts that frame light and movement. Angular roof planes extend outward, creating layered canopies that register solar paths and define outdoor gathering spaces. Structural ribs and shading elements echo the logic of biological frameworks, expressing both rhythm and continuity across the site.

Through iterative refinement, the architecture moves beyond formal exploration toward a coherent spatial system. Lines, grids, and proportioning strategies overlap to produce a balanced relationship between structure, program, and visitor experience. The result is a museum that expresses complexity without excess, using mathematical order and natural precedent to shape an environment that is both sculptural and functionally grounded.

Building Information

Proposed Location: Dumbo Brooklyn

Credits

Architect: HA Architecture Studio

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