Trahan Architects: Death Valley, Louisiana

The new Louisiana State Sports Hall of Fame and Regional History Museum designed by Trahan Architects has just entered its construction phase. The museum’s donated memorabilia embodies “the contributions of the diverse cultures that have shaped the state and are crucial to understanding the unique traditions and legacy of Louisiana and the Gulf South.” Principal Trey Trahan, FAIA, describes the project as “an incredible opportunity to create a place that will celebrate the deep history of North Louisiana, as well as the indelible influence sports have had on our state’s culture.”

The $12 million project is comprised of a 28,000-square-foot contemporary venue that highlights the collections’ important cultural assets and recognizes each segment as part of the greater cultural history of the state of Louisiana. The project is situated in Natchitoches, the oldest settlement from the Louisiana Purchase. Trahan Architects has tried to embrace this history and the landscape into the design by cladding the exterior in sinker cypress planks as a reference to the region’s rich timber legacy.

According to Trey Trahan, “our design is informed by the historic architecture and materials of the region, while presenting a contemporary architectural language to this remarkable city.”

The spacing and manipulation of the exterior boards control light, views and ventilation. The arrangement creates a sense of porosity and articulation that will animate the façade and mediate the building’s scale. The louvers also make a reference to the cladding at nearby Oakland Plantation, where wood planks were used for the purpose of mitigating the climate.

The interiors highlight the “area’s distinctive geomorphology and aspects of the river’s hydromorphology.” Fluid shapes of “the braided corridors of river channels” are separated by “interstitial masses of land” to create the organizing principle for visitor circulation and gallery arrangement.

The project is scheduled to be completed in March 2011.

Via: Archdaily.com