Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

The urban context of the new Museum, surrounded by high rise housing and a ring road, determined its compact character. The building is placed as a single bulk at one of the edges of the lot available, leaving the space remaining as facility for the city. The entrance is located at the end of a plaza, slightly elevated above the level of the nearby roads, becoming a public space for the city as well as an outdoor lobby for the museum.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

The existing palm garden aside was kept and extended in order to include it within the exhibition space.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

The Museum is meant to host an outstanding archaeological collection from sites in the Almería area, at present located in dispersed places.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

The building, seen from the outside, is compact and opaque towards the city, made out of natural marble stone pieces from Almería quarries. Inside, a series of different spaces are connected by a large void, which orientates the visitor and links the rooms for the permanent collection and the several activities being held.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

All rooms allow exhibitions to be organised parallel to the walls, which isolate the inner spaces from the harsh surroundings. Only in some places these walls open up as viewpoints towards the city, whereas light is provided by means of skylights on the ceilings.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

A filter for direct light is constructed with a varnished wooden grid suspended over the exhibition rooms.

Image: Paredes Pedrosa © All rights reserved.

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

Administration spaces, stack along the inner void in five levels, include offices, library and workshops.

Image: Paredes Pedrosa © All rights reserved.

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

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Image: Paredes Pedrosa © All rights reserved.

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

Image: Paredes Pedrosa © All rights reserved.

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.

Photo: Luis Asín © All rights reserved. Courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa

© Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos . Published on March 27, 2007.