Altes: The Anatomy of a Museum

Karl Friedrich Schinkel's Altes Museum in Berlin exemplifies the complex relationship of inside to outside. Its internal geometries are intricate. Yet despite its symmetry it shows surprising variation in section, and it's fitting in order to illuminate the art within. Full documentation of the museum, complete with plans, sections, and elevations was required. All drawings are hand-drafted at 1/16" = 1' scale. We were encouraged to make use of models as operative tools to aid in the dissection of the space. As pieces of analysis accumulated, a comprehensive image of the museum's stature as a cultural and historic icon took shape as well.

Professors Stephen Rustow, Michael Young
Cooper Union; 2007