Space, the edge of the known universe, has remained mysterious throughout the history of mankind. As far as we understand it today, space is a boundless four-dimensional continuum also referred to as space-time. The mysterious nature of space, the final frontier, has led to international efforts to venture out and explore the largely unknown space-time. Continuum, a museum for international space travel, aims to commemorate this effort.

Building on Houston’s historic importance for space travel, the Continuum strives to emphasize space travel in an international context. Both in terms of historical achievements, cultural depictions, and future aspirations.

Mimicking the idea of space travel, the museum has a central space with a historically iconic exhibition. From this central space, the journey through the museum is crafted so that the visitor can experience the architecture through a continuous flow of spaces, folding and unfolding, but without clearly defining boundaries. The path of the circulation will lead the visitor to weave in and out of the central space, losing and regaining sight of the point of origin. As the structure stretches out towards the envelope and the exhibition spaces along the perimeter, most of the central, rectilinear design begins to morph as the structure adapts to new conditions, similar to how man will have to adopt and assimilate to space.

The central space, the temporary point of origin of the visitor, is a rectilinear space, a familiar world, easy to understand. This becomes both the point of entrance and exit during the exhibition experience.

The specially catered exhibition space are then located around the perimeter of the central space. These exhibition spaces are placed in a downward facing spiral which will host the majority of the curated journey.

Between each exhibition space is a ramp that takes the visitor from exhibit to exhibit. These ramps are also curated to weave in and out of the central space to reveal that glimpse of the point of origin in between exploring spaces.

Lastly the finial form giving shape is added to the building, the wings. The wings are constructed in a way that they are hosting the specific exhibition spaces with ample room for exhibits. At times, the ramps come close to the exterior of the building to always maintain a relationship to various home points, always putting objects into relationship in terms of navigation through time and space.

The museum emphasizes the idea of orbit around a central space, of the known and the unknown as well as the idea of a journey. Weaving in an out of the familiar, the space museum aims to show exploration of space as a passage without an known path but with a understandable passed.

PV Panels

Anchor Bolts

Bolted Connection to CMU

Reinforced CMU Wall

Insulated Aluminum Cladding

Freight Elevator

Wide Flange Beam

Egress Stair

Suspension Cables

Bolted Connection

Suspended Walkways

Suspended Ceiling

Main Entrance

Steel Hinge Pin

Retaining Wall

Loading Bay

Double T Concrete Slab

Reinforced Concrete Column

Open Web Steel Joist

Insulated Aluminum Cladding

Wall Perforations

Horizontal Truss Members

Vertical Truss Members

Egress Core

Freight Elevator

Basement Loading Area

Connection Between External

and Internal Structure

Structural Roof Members

Wide Flange Column

Reinforced Concrete Beams

Museum Loading Dock

Parking Garage Egress Core

Restaurant Loading Dock

Parking Garage

 Inner Structure/

Ground Floor

Inner Walls

Outer Structure

Outer Walls

Exploded Axon

Roof System

Despite its structural rigidity, the roof appears to be light. Northern light is filtered into the exhibition space through a system of PV panels generating electricity from southern light. The PV panels are tilted for optimal exposure during the summer months (6.9°) and year round (25.9°) for Houston, TX.

Perforated Wall System

The wall system is designed to provide northern light to enter the building through apertures in the thick walls. By enclosing the structural members, the wall system articulates the structure while maintaining a clean aesthetic.

Floor to Wall Connection

A horizontal beam within the exterior wall ties the open web steel joists to  the complex exterior truss system. Concrete floor slabs are laid on the steel frame.

Auditorium

The Auditorium holds 250 seats. It is laid out in an efficient fan shape. The ceiling is designed for strong  acoustical performance and has integrated light fixtures.

Egress Stair

Steel Truss System

Open Web Bat Joist

ADA  Accessible Ramp

Connection for Lights and Cables

PV Panels, Tilted 6.9° - 25.9°

Metal Decking Concrete Floor

Insulated Aluminum Cladding

Elevated Seating Area

Beam to Hold Light Fixtures

Double Pane Glass

Steel Mullions

Support for PV Panels

Open Web Steel Joist

Steel Truss System

Glass Railing with Handrail

Double Pane Glass

Handrail

Traveler

Traveler

Metal Decking Concrete Floor

Steel Truss System

10' Steel Truss

Utilities

HVAC

Suspended Ceiling

Insulated Aluminum Cladding

ADA Accessible Ramp

Glass Railing with Handrail

Stage

Suspended Acoustical Ceiling

Suspended Ceiling

Wide Flange Column

Reinforced Concrete Beam

System of PV Panels

Parking Deck

125 Spaces/LVL

Suspended Walkways

Steel Cables

Auditorium

250 Seats

Insulated Aluminum Panels

Space Shuttle

USS Discovery

Concrete Floor Slab

10' Steel Truss

System