Fernando Romero designed the jaw-dropping Soumaya Museum in Mexico City. The building is clad in aluminium to reflect the ornamental value of the museum's collection, which includes Baroque and 14th century European art.
Fernando Romero designed the jaw-dropping Soumaya Museum in Mexico City. The building is clad in aluminium to reflect the ornamental value of the museum's collection, which includes Baroque and 14th century European art.
Courtesy: Raul Soria
"I have always been interested in buildings that go beyond conventional solutions, and I thought that a museum was an opportunity to connect art with architecture and do something special," says the Mexican architect.
"I have always been interested in buildings that go beyond conventional solutions, and I thought that a museum was an opportunity to connect art with architecture and do something special," says the Mexican architect.
The Soumaya Museum during construction. It opened to the public in 2011.
The Soumaya Museum during construction. It opened to the public in 2011.
Adam Wiseman courtesty FREE
In particular, Romero was inspired by the sculpture of Rodin. "He went beyond perfection and found beauty in imperfection. The symmetry and movement he created in each of his pieces was always something that was of immense interest for us," Romero says.
In particular, Romero was inspired by the sculpture of Rodin. "He went beyond perfection and found beauty in imperfection. The symmetry and movement he created in each of his pieces was always something that was of immense interest for us," Romero says.
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A building that Romero particularly admires is the Guggenheim Museum in New York, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It opened in 1959.
A building that Romero particularly admires is the Guggenheim Museum in New York, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It opened in 1959.
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"Frank Lloyd Wright brought out this building that broke all conventional understandings of how a museum should operate," Romero says.
"Frank Lloyd Wright brought out this building that broke all conventional understandings of how a museum should operate," Romero says.
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Romero says Wright's design helped the public understand that art is not only "conventional, two dimensional paintings," but something "more vigorous, complex."
Romero says Wright's design helped the public understand that art is not only "conventional, two dimensional paintings," but something "more vigorous, complex."
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Romero says Wright "showed that art was going to evolve in unlimited directions, which we are currently seeing through technology."
Romero says Wright "showed that art was going to evolve in unlimited directions, which we are currently seeing through technology."
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