MOBIUS GALLERY

A single-sided surface allows both “inside” and “outside” to be traversed with a single line of circulation.  Here, this idea was deployed to allow a continuous gallery-viewing experience despite a very constrained building footprint.

By stacking mobius strip units vertically, two nested paths of figure-8 circulation are created which rise at different rates – the outer at a gradual 1:20 ramp rate, the inner at a rate matching a staircase rise/run ratio.  The mobius strip is the surface that connects this outer ramping gallery with the inner express stairs.  At every level the figure-8's cross paths, allowing the museum visitor the choice to continue around the perimeter or to switch to the express path. 

Program:  a 12-story Museum
Location:  Columbus Circle, Manhattan, NY