Oklahoma City, OK
The renovated Mid-Continental Life building is now home to the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum. Built in 1925 by Solomon Andrew Layton, the neoclassical building was built from 12 train cars loads of Indiana limestone, slabs of Alabama marble and British Honduran mahogany wood. Today the building remains in pristine condition.
Architectural Concept:
1. Juxtapose history and 21st century thinking.
2. Historic information vs. Electronic information.
3. Make the history of Oklahoma and Oklahomans interesting, timely and timeless.
4. Use touch screens, video and wireless information delivery.
5. Connect history to young people with information delivery using film and electronics.
6. Present the information in the form of video “stories” vs. static.
7. Do not create fake history. Emphasize and embellish the historical spaces and details.
8. Make the required modern “insertions” compatible or invisible within the historic space.
9. Introduce timeless materials and finishes that add warmth and richness to the experience.
Key Points:
1. “Bookends”
a. The idea began as an effort to showcase the energy of youth and the wisdom of maturity through our “Bookends” concept.
b. The building includes the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and a “youth gallery.”
c. The goal is to inspire visitors and members by telling a great story about Oklahoma history through its people.
d. This will create new enthusiasm for the future and a respect for our past.
2. Garden
a. Create a new Garden as an “outdoor room” and make it self-sufficient for group activities and events.
b. Introduce “modern follies” into the garden as pavilions. One for food and one for toilets.
c. A 40’ W x 12’ T waterfall over glass acts as an entry wall at both the food and toilet pavilions.
3. Modern Stair
a. New suspended glass and steel stair acts as a modern “insertion” and is conceived as a glowing “lantern” that passes through the space, changing at each level like history. . .
