To tackle these problems, the Dutch architect started from the fascinating parallel between the museum and the imperial palace of Tokyo which, while being visible to everyone and extremely recognizable, is in practical terms inaccessible. The first problem was solved by creating a new itinerary on the first floor (where all the exhibition rooms are currently located), producing various circulation axes. The second problem was solved by concentrating all the public services (reception desk, information center, ticket office and bookshop) on the ground floor. Finally, the main entrance was clearly orientated towards the crossing point of the main roads.
The new extension of the Centro interacts with the character of the pre-existing buildings on the one hand as a rigid mechanistic intervention inspired by the textile workshops of Prato, on the other as “elastic” and dreamlike. The new extension surrounds the pre-existing building, cutting through it only where necessary along the exhibition circuit. Since the angling of the exhibition plane varies continually, spaces with differentiated atmospheres are created, suitable for presenting varying types of exhibition. The “tower” is a particular object of the new Centro Pecci, both a symbolic element and a self-standing object, resembling both a horn and an aerial. In fact for Maurice Nio it has the function both of a banner proudly flown for visitors and passers-by, and of a probe which captures cultural movements, constantly on the lookout for new currents and trends.
Sensing the waves
Architect: Maurice Nio (Nio architecten)
Director: Paolo Bartalini (2007-2012) Antonella Cacciato (2012) Massimo Lastrucci (2013-2016)
Landscape design: Luca Piantini, Michele Faranda
Area: 7,815 sqm
Completion: 2016