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Museum of Uncertainty
Museum of Uncertainty
Project has won
London Design Awards 2023: Platinum Award in the Conceptual Category
London Design Awards 2023: Platinum Award in the Conceptual Category
Project has won
London Design Awards 2023: Platinum Award in the Conceptual Category
Museum of Uncertainty
Museum of Uncertainty
Los Angeles, 2020
Los Angeles, 2020
The Museum of the Uncertainty is a concpetual project proposal situated amidst the enigmatic La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, where a veil of uncertainty shrouds the secrets hidden beneath the viscous tar. It is precisely this very uncertainty that lends an irresistibly captivating allure to the Tar Pits. Beneath the thick tar, lies a realm of mysteries yet to be unveiled, and it is this very intrigue that draws people in. The history of the Tar Pit vividly illustrates the pivotal roles played by the processes of excavation, discovery, and preservation at this remarkable site. In our design, we aspire to shine a spotlight on these three fundamental elements and artfully capture the essence of uncertainty that pervades the Tar Pits.
The Museum of the Uncertainty is a concpetual project proposal situated amidst the enigmatic La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, where a veil of uncertainty shrouds the secrets hidden beneath the viscous tar. It is precisely this very uncertainty that lends an irresistibly captivating allure to the Tar Pits. Beneath the thick tar, lies a realm of mysteries yet to be unveiled, and it is this very intrigue that draws people in. The history of the Tar Pit vividly illustrates the pivotal roles played by the processes of excavation, discovery, and preservation at this remarkable site. In our design, we aspire to shine a spotlight on these three fundamental elements and artfully capture the essence of uncertainty that pervades the Tar Pits.
Looking towards Plaza
Display Hallway
Display Lobby
The design strives to illuminate these three foundational elements, capturing with artistry the essence of uncertainty that permeates the Tar Pits.
The design strives to illuminate these three foundational elements, capturing with artistry the essence of uncertainty that permeates the Tar Pits.
The project comprises three distinct structures, each offering a multifaceted experience for visitors.
Starting at Wilshire Boulevard, guests embark on an immersive journey simulating submersion beneath the tar, ultimately arriving at the museum's central gathering area. Inside, they encounter a fascinating exhibition featuring fossils displayed both from storage and along the hallways.
The project comprises three distinct structures, each offering a multifaceted experience for visitors.
Starting at Wilshire Boulevard, guests embark on an immersive journey simulating submersion beneath the tar, ultimately arriving at the museum's central gathering area. Inside, they encounter a fascinating exhibition featuring fossils displayed both from storage and along the hallways.
The research building is interconnected with various excavation sites, creating a labyrinthine pathway where visitors can witness the excavation process up close on the ground level. Additionally, the institution building hosts lectures and provides educational opportunities, while offering views of the expansive excavation sites.
The research building is interconnected with various excavation sites, creating a labyrinthine pathway where visitors can witness the excavation process up close on the ground level. Additionally, the institution building hosts lectures and provides educational opportunities, while offering views of the expansive excavation sites.
Within the building, an exhibition featuring fossils from both storage and hallway collections awaits. In the research building, a network of interconnected excavation sites creates a maze-like circulation, allowing observers to witness the excavation process unfolding beneath them. In the institution building, visitors can expand their knowledge through lectures while gazing out at the extensive excavation sites. The inherent uncertainty of excavation sparks the thrill of discovery.
Within the building, an exhibition featuring fossils from both storage and hallway collections awaits. In the research building, a network of interconnected excavation sites creates a maze-like circulation, allowing observers to witness the excavation process unfolding beneath them. In the institution building, visitors can expand their knowledge through lectures while gazing out at the extensive excavation sites. The inherent uncertainty of excavation sparks the thrill of discovery.
Within the building, an exhibition featuring fossils from both storage and hallway collections awaits. In the research building, a network of interconnected excavation sites creates a maze-like circulation, allowing observers to witness the excavation process unfolding beneath them. In the institution building, visitors can expand their knowledge through lectures while gazing out at the extensive excavation sites. The inherent uncertainty of excavation sparks the thrill of discovery.
As we navigate these uncertainties, we must delve into the stories concealed within them to uncover and later retell these magnificent tales in the future. The excitement of unraveling the Tar Pit's history is encapsulated in lab research, which gradually unveils the narratives hidden within each bone, shedding light on the Tar Pit's nature in the past.
As we navigate these uncertainties, we must delve into the stories concealed within them to uncover and later retell these magnificent tales in the future. The excitement of unraveling the Tar Pit's history is encapsulated in lab research, which gradually unveils the narratives hidden within each bone, shedding light on the Tar Pit's nature in the past.
As we navigate these uncertainties, we must delve into the stories concealed within them to uncover and later retell these magnificent tales in the future. The excitement of unraveling the Tar Pit's history is encapsulated in lab research, which gradually unveils the narratives hidden within each bone, shedding light on the Tar Pit's nature in the past.
Each layer of tar we unearth sparks the thrill of revelation, urging us to navigate the shadows, to uncover and retell these silent tales.
Each layer of tar we unearth sparks the thrill of revelation, urging us to navigate the shadows, to uncover and retell these silent tales.
Each layer of tar we unearth sparks the thrill of revelation, urging us to navigate the shadows, to uncover and retell these silent tales.
"In every fragment, in each bone raised from the depths, the project gently reveals the past—a graceful unraveling of the Tar Pit's story. Here, time’s echoes are woven into a design that awakens discovery and learning from what once lay hidden below."
— Xuechen Chen
"In every fragment, in each bone raised from the depths, the project gently reveals the past—a graceful unraveling of the Tar Pit's story. Here, time’s echoes are woven into a design that awakens discovery and learning from what once lay hidden below."
— Xuechen Chen
"In every fragment, in each bone raised from the depths, the project gently reveals the past—a graceful unraveling of the Tar Pit's story. Here, time’s echoes are woven into a design that awakens discovery and learning from what once lay hidden below."
— Xuechen Chen
Plan Diagram
Plan Diagram
Project Diagram
Project Diagram
The design strives to illuminate these three foundational elements, capturing with artistry the essence of uncertainty that permeates the Tar Pits.
The design strives to illuminate these three foundational elements, capturing with artistry the essence of uncertainty that permeates the Tar Pits.
The design strives to illuminate these three foundational elements, capturing with artistry the essence of uncertainty that permeates the Tar Pits.
The project comprises three distinct structures, each offering a multifaceted experience for visitors.
Starting at Wilshire Boulevard, guests embark on an immersive journey simulating submersion beneath the tar, ultimately arriving at the museum's central gathering area. Inside, they encounter a fascinating exhibition featuring fossils displayed both from storage and along the hallways.
The project comprises three distinct structures, each offering a multifaceted experience for visitors.
Starting at Wilshire Boulevard, guests embark on an immersive journey simulating submersion beneath the tar, ultimately arriving at the museum's central gathering area. Inside, they encounter a fascinating exhibition featuring fossils displayed both from storage and along the hallways.
The project comprises three distinct structures, each offering a multifaceted experience for visitors.
Starting at Wilshire Boulevard, guests embark on an immersive journey simulating submersion beneath the tar, ultimately arriving at the museum's central gathering area. Inside, they encounter a fascinating exhibition featuring fossils displayed both from storage and along the hallways.
The research building is interconnected with various excavation sites, creating a labyrinthine pathway where visitors can witness the excavation process up close on the ground level. Additionally, the institution building hosts lectures and provides educational opportunities, while offering views of the expansive excavation sites.
The research building is interconnected with various excavation sites, creating a labyrinthine pathway where visitors can witness the excavation process up close on the ground level. Additionally, the institution building hosts lectures and provides educational opportunities, while offering views of the expansive excavation sites.
The research building is interconnected with various excavation sites, creating a labyrinthine pathway where visitors can witness the excavation process up close on the ground level. Additionally, the institution building hosts lectures and provides educational opportunities, while offering views of the expansive excavation sites.
Within the building, an exhibition featuring fossils from both storage and hallway collections awaits. In the research building, a network of interconnected excavation sites creates a maze-like circulation, allowing observers to witness the excavation process unfolding beneath them. In the institution building, visitors can expand their knowledge through lectures while gazing out at the extensive excavation sites. The inherent uncertainty of excavation sparks the thrill of discovery.
Within the building, an exhibition featuring fossils from both storage and hallway collections awaits. In the research building, a network of interconnected excavation sites creates a maze-like circulation, allowing observers to witness the excavation process unfolding beneath them. In the institution building, visitors can expand their knowledge through lectures while gazing out at the extensive excavation sites. The inherent uncertainty of excavation sparks the thrill of discovery.
Within the building, an exhibition featuring fossils from both storage and hallway collections awaits. In the research building, a network of interconnected excavation sites creates a maze-like circulation, allowing observers to witness the excavation process unfolding beneath them. In the institution building, visitors can expand their knowledge through lectures while gazing out at the extensive excavation sites. The inherent uncertainty of excavation sparks the thrill of discovery.
Plan Diagram
Plan Diagram
UNFOLD NEWYORK
DIRECTOR: XUECHEN CHEN
WRITER: XUECHEN CHEN
PRODUCER: XUECHEN CHEN & XUN ZHANG
PHOTOGRAPHY: XUN ZHANG
LEAD EDITOR: XUECHEN CHEN &XUN ZHANG
X.C Studio
X.C Studio
More X.C STUDIO
More X.C STUDIO
Project has won
London Design Awards 2023: Platinum Award in the Conceptual Category
London Design Awards 2023: Platinum Award in the Conceptual Category
Museum of Uncertainty
Los Angeles, 2020