Urban Scale
The site where NUMU is located is highly significant, as it marks both the beginning and end of Bicentenario Park and simultaneously serves as the boundary between the communes of Vitacura and Providencia. From this perspective, the museum assumes the role of a threshold between the city and the park. The project gains prominence and recognition within its surroundings through its suspended form. Its highly visible mass—at once absolute, hermetic, and magnetic—is distinguishable from the speeding cars on the adjacent urban highways as well as from the tranquil rhythm of the park and its environs. Furthermore, the museum’s roof is conceived as a fifth façade, being visible from the pathways of San Cristóbal Hill and the neighboring buildings.
The project also functions as an urban transitional element, connecting the elevated pedestrian walkway at street level to the park below. A central opening beneath the cylindrical volume acts as a threshold, aligning with the park’s north-south axis. This void corresponds with the museum lobby, which allows free passage from both directions. Additionally, a large external staircase establishes a secondary connection between the city and the park. This feature operates as an amphitheater, facilitating a slow, contemplative movement and offering a vantage point to admire Bicentenario Park.
FORM
The circle simultaneously contains and defines a center that establishes spatial references with its external context. Its cylindrical extrusion creates a form whose façade remains consistent regardless of the observer’s viewpoint. Additionally, an inverted cone supports the volume, articulating its connection to the podium while imparting a sense of lightness. Two subtractive voids—rectangular in shape—are carved out to embrace both the vertical axis of the atrium and the north-south axis of the park
SCALE
The New Museum of Santiago (NUMU) operates across three scales of intervention: geographic, urban, and architectural. Accordingly, its strategic location assigns multiple roles to the project simultaneously.
Geographic Scale
The circular plan of the form, which appears to float above street level, defines a center that serves as the origin of the cardinal directions. From this point, spatial references are established that emphasize significant elements of the surrounding geography, such as the peaks of Manquehue Hill (6.5 km), San Cristóbal Hill (3.6 km), and El Plomo Hill (40.7 km). These natural landmarks function as geographic anchors embedded in the collective memory and historical narrative of the city. Consequently, the museum acknowledges these features through architectural gestures that frame views toward these points, thereby spatially integrating the project with its broader context.
The building is organized into four main levels: one suspended above the park and street (+1); an intermediate level that connects with the street (+0); the podium level at park grade (-1); and two subterranean levels (-2 and -3).
Suspended Level: This level imparts the museum’s iconic character, transforming it into a prominent landmark within the city.
Intermediate Level: This voided space between the podium and the suspended volume serves as a public mezzanine, extending the pedestrian walkway toward the park and functioning as a lookout point with panoramic views.
Podium Level: Situated at the park’s elevation, immediately below the mezzanine, this level houses the museum’s most public programmatic spaces.
Underground Areas: Located beneath the podium level, these two subterranean floors accommodate the majority of the museum’s program. Natural daylight penetrates these spaces through a large excavated underground courtyard.
STRUCTURE
The structural system is anchored by two rigid reinforced concrete cores that support six primary post-tensioned concrete beams, each measuring 3 meters in height. Suspended from these main beams is a circular perimeter beam, standing 10 meters tall. At the intermediate level, inverted cone-shaped supports extend upward from the cores, bearing the weight of the cylindrical volume and integrating with the overall structural framework.
Both cores extend continuously throughout the building’s full height, from the uppermost level down to the underground foundations. The concrete floor slabs function as rigid diaphragms which, together with the perimeter retaining walls and all interior load-bearing walls, effectively resist horizontal seismic forces.
PROGRAM
The suspended cylindrical volume at level +1 houses the museum’s exhibition spaces dedicated to the permanent collection, designed as a continuous and flexible layout. The intermediate level (+0) is an open public space, devoid of enclosed rooms, serving as a transitional area.
At the podium level (-1), which aligns with the park’s elevation, are located the lobby, ticket office, and museum shop. This level also accommodates the café and restaurant, both directly accessible from the park and the lobby. Public restrooms, lockers, and administrative offices are situated on level -2.
Level -3 contains a triple-height exhibition hall intended for temporary exhibitions, which maintains a visual connection with the lobby above. This level also hosts the entire extension and educational program areas.
CIRCULATIONS
The two primary vertical circulation cores extend throughout the entire height of the building, serving distinct functional roles. Their separation facilitates a clear distinction between publicly accessible spaces and those requiring admission.
The eastern core accommodates circulation linking all exhibition spaces via a sculptural staircase and elevators, ensuring fluid movement through the paid exhibition areas. In contrast, the western core connects levels 0 to -3, linking the lobby with the free educational and extension zones. This core also houses an elevator designed for accessibility, providing direct access to street level for disabled visitors.
Additionally, a dedicated industrial elevator, measuring 5 by 5 meters and reserved exclusively for museum personnel, serves all floors. This elevator connects the storage facilities with exhibition spaces and the unloading area located in the underground parking.