MIDDLEBURY AIRCRAFT MUSEUM

SITE

For my intermediate studio architecture class (Spring 2016), I was asked to design a small aircraft museum for the Middlebury State Airport. Consisting of just a single runway, a few storage hangers, and an outdoor aircraft parking lot, the expansive site has much to gain from the addition of a museum. The openness of the site, as well as the muted, natural colors of the autumn landscape suggested a simple approach, and the hangars and aircrafts themselves provided presents for both form and function.

FORM

The hangar-inspired design pays homage to the surrounding architecture, while the expressive nature of the roof structure appeals to views from above and below. The design also borrows from the function of the airplane wing to inform the building’s air circulation.

FUNCTION

In collaboration with aircraft pilots and enthusiasts, the project aims to attract both airborne and terrestrial visitors. The primary exhibition space sits adjacent to the exterior aircraft lot in order to extend the exhibition of small aircrafts to the outdoor landscape. The building also houses includes a flight simulator and teaching spaces to accommodate the local flight school, giving the museum an educational focus.