Museum of Modern Art
Located in the heart of Warsaw, the simple white building of the Museum of Modern Art is striking for not only the citizens of the capital, but the entire country as well. The high level of difficulty in completing such an advanced project certifies the structure as a true masterpiece on a global scale.
Investor: MUZEUM SZTUKI NOWOCZESNEJ W WARSZAWIE
Architect: THOMAS PHIFER AND PARTNERS / APA WOJCIECHOWSKI
General Contactor: WARBUD S.A.
RMX supplier: Warbud Beton Sp. z o.o.
Executive supervision: PORTICO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This unique facility, designed by the American firm Thomas Phifer & Partners, is made entirely of architectural concrete from CEM II/A-LL 52.5N white cement from Rohožník plant.
The museum occupies almost 20,000 square meters, with four floors above ground and two below. The interior spaces have been designed to provide over 4,500 square meters of exhibition space. The building will also house education rooms, a conservation studio, storage for art works, an auditorium, a reading room, a modern bistro with a bookstore, and a cinema with seating for 150 people.
The extensive glass exterior is intended to open up the space to the city. The intent of the main architect Thomas Phifer was for the illuminated interior of the building to be visible from the street and square, inviting passers-by to enter and explore the exhibitions within. The new building was opened as a place for people to meet and experience art and is meant to attract visitors from around the country and abroad.
At the beginning of the mix design stage, several samples of white concrete were prepared from different producers of white cements. The product names were unknown to the architects - only the shade mattered. Finally, the samples that were not satisfactory were rejected, leaving CEM I 52.5 N and CEM II/A-LL 52.5 N selected from Rohoznik White portfolio for further testing and mock-ups on larger surfaces.
Ultimately, it was CEM II/A-LL that satisfied the architects, with such demanding characteristics that convinced the construction company to use the material throughout the entire facility – co-creating a unique building that, as Grand Master Thomas Phifer says, is a “white frame for art”.
