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The best art museums in the world
Feb 26, 2020
From the British museum in London to the Museum of Modern art in New York, here is our top picks for the world’s best art museums.
There are a number of amazing museums out there, but the best art museums in the world have become destinations in themselves. Being home to some of the world’s most popular artefacts, sculptures, and paintings, these museums are a treasure of knowledge, allowing visitors to navigate the culture and history through creative expression. These museums show very different exhibits, but they have one thing common: they all definitely worth your visit.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Also known as The Met, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
is the largest museum in the Western hemisphere. The museum is home to more than 2 million pieces of artwork and displays enough variety to attract millions of enthusiasts each year from around the globe. Its collection spans Africa, Asia, Europe, America as well as the Islamic, classical and ancient worlds. The work includes antiquities, musical instruments, interior design, glass, sculpture, photography, painting, statuary, armor and the entire first century Egyptian temple of Dander.
Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Located within the city boundaries, the Roman Catholic Church’s Vatican collection
is most stunning and one of the largest collections in the world. It was founded in the early 16th century and contains masterpieces of sculpture, painting and other work of art collected by the popes through the centuries. The museum includes different monumental works of art such as the Borgia Apartment, the Raphael Rooms and Loggia, the Chapel of Beato Angelico and the Sistine Chapel.
Le Louvre, Paris, France
The Louvre
is one of the most famous art museums in the world and a must visit destination for a person with an interest in art. It was originally a fortified palace that was home to the kings of France before becoming a museum two centuries ago. The museum has a collection of over one million works of art, from which 35,000 are on display. Some of the most famous artworks in the museum are Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo, the Nike of Samothrake and, of course, the Venus of Milo. Come for the best known works but stay for the splendour of the lesser known works. You can easily get lost for a whole day.
The British Museum, London, England
The British Museum, of London
is the largest museum in Britain. The museum is dedicated to human culture, art and history and it is located in the Bloomsbury area of London. It holds more than 8 million objects from different era, ranging from exquisite gold jewels to whole Assyrian palace rooms, Athens Parthenon to prehistoric bones.
El Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain
The Prado Museum
also known as (Museo Nacional del Prado) is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. The museum contains the most impressive and largest art collections in the world from the 12th century to the early 10th century based on the Spanish art and royal collection. The most notable artwork of the Prado Museum display is El Greco, Murillo, Velasquez and Goya. The collection comprises around 8,200 drawings, 4,800 prints, 1000 sculptures and 7,600 paintings. El Prado is also situated next El Parque de Retiro, an enormous, beautiful park owned by the Spanish monarchy until the 19th century. A highlight is taking out a rowboat on the little lake in front of the Monument to Alfonso XII, or visiting the Crystal Palace within the park.
Articles
Strategies for Sustainable Home Design
Making more of less
Depending on your point of view, bungalows are either a cherished affordable house type that allowed homeowners of the 1970s the chance to realise the dream of owning their own home or the result of poor planning and insensitive sprawl, as epitomised by the cookie cutter designs of “Bungalow Bliss” which sold over a quarter-of-a-million copies; roughly one for every second household in the countryside. Times are changing, and as families grow, we increase our understanding of the environmental and financial costs of heating a home, and as lifestyles evolve, the need for additional space and adapting these dwellings becomes inevitable. Adapting these structures and embracing modernity doesn’t mean knocking them down and starting again. The concept of extending bungalows into contemporary dormer houses is gaining popularity. Here we explore the exciting opportunities of extending bungalows on tricky sites, offering a fresh perspective on creating modern dormer houses in Ireland. Utilising Challenging Terrain Ireland's diverse topography often presents architects with tricky sites. From sloping terrain to irregularly shaped plots, these challenges can be turned into design assets. Dormer houses perfectly adapt to such sites, as their design accommodates varying elevations and allows for creative use of space. By integrating well-planned dormers into the extension, architects can exploit the unique terrain to create stunning living spaces that embrace the beauty of the surroundings. Capturing Natural Light One of the standout features of dormer houses is their ability to maximise natural light. In Ireland, where weather patterns can be unpredictable, capturing ample sunlight is invaluable. Through careful positioning of dormer windows, skylights, and glazed walls, we can find ways to bathe the extended bungalow in natural light throughout the day. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes a sense of openness and connection with nature. Expanding Living Space The primary motivation behind extending a bungalow is to increase living space. Modern dormer houses take full advantage of this opportunity by offering versatile and spacious interiors. Homeowners can embrace open-plan layouts that seamlessly blend the old and new sections of the house. The addition of dormer windows and vaulted ceilings creates the illusion of more space and fosters an inviting atmosphere. Adapting to Growing Families As families grow, their needs evolve. Dormer houses provide a solution for growing families by offering additional bedrooms and living areas. This adaptability ensures that the extended bungalow remains a practical and cherished home for generations to come. We can strategically plan the layout to provide privacy and comfort, balancing communal and private spaces. Sustainable Design Choices In creating a modern-dormer house, there is the opportunity to incorporate sustainable design practises. By using energy-efficient materials and technologies, we can create eco-friendly extensions that blend seamlessly with the existing bungalow. Renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and air-source heat pumps, can be integrated into the roof design, contributing to reduced energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint. Embracing Contemporary Aesthetics While preserving the charm of the original bungalow, the extension can embrace contemporary aesthetics. Modern dormer houses can feature clean lines, minimalist facades, and a mix of materials like wood, stone, and metal. The incorporation of natural elements ensures that the extension blends harmoniously with the Irish landscape, creating a visually stunning architectural masterpiece. Conclusion Extending bungalows on tricky sites to create modern dormer houses opens up a world of possibilities for homeowners. By thoughtfully integrating dormer windows, maximising natural light, and embracing sustainable design practises, these extensions can become unique and practical living spaces that cater to evolving family needs. As the demand for more space and modern living solutions continues to grow, the transformation of traditional bungalows into contemporary dormer houses will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the architectural landscape of Ireland.