How Do the Wings on the Milwaukee Art Museum Work?

Art|Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum is a unique architectural marvel that stands out among its peers. The museum was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in September 2001.

One of the most iconic features of the building is its wings, which are made up of two massive white-winged structures that can open and close like butterfly wings.

The wings are designed to act as a sunshade for the main building, protecting it from direct sunlight during the summer months. The wings are also designed to be flexible, allowing them to adapt to different weather conditions. During strong winds, for example, the wings will flex and move with the wind to reduce strain on the structure.

The wings are made up of several separate components, including thin steel frames which form the skeleton of each wing, as well as aluminum and glass panels which cover each frame. The aluminum panels have a special coating applied to them which allows them to reflect sunlight while still allowing natural light into the museum’s interior.

The wings are operated using a computerized system connected to an array of sensors located around the building. These sensors detect changes in temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity levels and other environmental factors. When conditions change outside, this information is sent to the computer system which then operates hydraulic motors located in each wing’s base frame.

These motors control how far apart or close together each wing is opened or closed. This allows for maximum protection from direct sunlight while still allowing visitors to enjoy natural light inside during certain parts of the day.

Conclusion:

The Milwaukee Art Museum’s iconic wings are an impressive example of modern architecture and engineering. Using a computerized system connected to sensors around the building, these wings can open and close like butterfly wings in order to provide maximum protection from direct sunlight while still allowing natural light into the museum’s interior.