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Mission Statement: The International Petroleum
Museum and Exposition's mission is to preserve and interpret artifacts and information about the offshore petroleum industry
and to educate others concerning the significance of this Cajun-born industry upon the rest of the world.
Their request was to utilize the land immediately surrounding the
featured Offshore Drilling Rig Museum, Mr. Charlie, while at the same time successfully connecting the site to the downtown
area.
Solution: The main purpose behind my design was
to physically emphasize Mr. Charlie while providing an easy, welcoming transition from the downtown Morgan
City area to the site itself.
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| Master Plan |
The initial inspiration for
the form used to emphasize the museum was taken from the Pectinidae, a shell often found in the Gulf of Mexico. The
outer shape of the shell radiates from a central point. This concept was applied to the site placing Mr.
Charlie at the focal point and having the remainder of the site radiate from the museum.
So, despite where the viewer stands, a view to the museum is always available.
In nature, the basic shape
of the shell doesn't change very much, but it possesses a seemingly endless range of colors and patterns. This
aspect was applied to not only the vegetation, but also the variation in paths and water features.
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| Context Diagram and Sections |
For the transition from downtown
Morgan City to the site, I chose a number of relaxing and easy to walk paths that wind through a heavily planted area.
These paths offer a variety of views to the river.
Included within the program
are a number of Reflecting Ponds, an Amphitheater using Mr. Charlie as the backdrop, a walk-through Gift Shop, a Riverfront
Restaurant with an outside seating area, two Specialty Shops, site-friendly Parking for over 80 vehicles, a Cajun/Rig
Historical Museum, and a number of Riverfront Viewing Areas.
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