New Cyprus Museum

Nicosia, Cyprus, competition 2017

The building of the New Cyprus Museum will house the cultural heritage of the Cypriots and promote and strengthen further their unique identity.

The Citadel-like form of the new Museum takes inspiration from the ancient fortifications of Cyprus, its long history of defending its unique civilization.

The new Museum in Nicosia is a Modern Citadel. It exposes the rich heritage of Cyprus and protects its archaeological wealth. It is a Citadel whose walls create an open interior of changing scale, a space for everyday activity. It provides spaces for exhibitions, lectures, receptions and many other different functions. This Citadel will become new public Living Room of Nicosia.

Accessibility

The New Cyprus Museum is integrated within the surrounding Nicosia cultural quarter. The large square in front of the Museum main entrance, facing east, visually connects the new building with the existing institutions, i.e. the House of Representatives, Nicosia Municipal Theater and the old building of the Cyprus Museum. The square offers a public outdoor space enhanced in quality.
To the west, the Atrium of the Museum, the new public Living Room of Nicosia, opens toward the green area along Pedieos River, inviting visitors coming from the pedestrian and cycle path.

Museum Organisation

The proposed design for the New Cyprus Museum offers a clear organization of its functions.
The generous Atrium on the ground floor welcomes the visitors, provides necessary services as well as clear orientation through the building. It can be also used for public events, shows and additional exposition spaces.
Rooms for Periodical Exhibitions are on the ground level and open directly toward the atrium.
The first floor is entirely occupied by the Permanent Collection. Visitors can reach this level with easily reachable escalators and elevators and move through different exhibition sections using bridges crossing the Atrium void.
Laboratories and Storage rooms are located mostly underground and partially on the second level of the Museum. Laboratories and the related storage areas are adjacent to each other.
The historic building for pectoral diseases is preserved and integrated into the design. Connected to the Museum Atrium, it now houses auxiliary rooms for the educational services.