Museum in Siberia by Leeser Architecture

The New York office of Leeser Architecture has won an international competition for the "Mammoth and Permafrost Museum" in the Siberian city of Yakutsk. Among the other finalists were, for example, Massimiliano Fuksas and Antoine Predock. The purpose of the museum, a scientific center and laboratories, is to research Siberian mammoths and the region of permanently frozen ground, where these animals made their home and where their remains were also found.
The winning design, which resembles a prehistoric creature, aims to provide effective protection against the extreme climate: the building is supposed to offer a pleasant atmosphere for study, work, and social life even in the area of permanently frozen ground. According to the architects, the museum is "an architectural prototype of a building for extreme climatic zones and ecologically sensitive to the site."
The structure, heavily insulated against extreme frost, is built on supports that attempt to mimic the existing terrain and minimally touch the construction site. Newly planted grasses, mosses, and trees will soon blend into the surrounding landscape. The transparent envelope of the building will be created by a glass facade with so-called "Aerogel" slatting. The silicone in Aerogel has the ability to let in as much daylight as possible while retaining gas molecules, thereby reducing thermal losses. In the lower parts of the house, moss cover will also serve as insulation. The "legs" on the roof function as skylights. On the roof, where winds and blizzards are weaker, optical sensors will also be placed. This will allow for better management of sun protection and prevent unnecessary heat loss. Energy consumption will also be reduced through the use of daylight, energy-efficient artificial lighting, cooling and heating systems, heat recovery, and controlled ventilation. Electric energy will be generated on-site by wind turbines and photovoltaic cells. Gardens inside the center will allow visitors to experience the year-round natural cycle. The main attraction is expected to be the intact mammoth body that was discovered nearby and will be exhibited in the new museum. Link>