Charles Shipman Payson Building facts for kids
The Charles Shipman Payson Building is a big part of the Portland Museum of Art (PMA) in Portland, Maine. It's located right on the corner of High Street and Congress Square. A famous architect named Henry N. Cobb designed this building.
When it opened in 1983, the Payson Building added a lot more space for art. It created five times more gallery space than the older museum buildings next door. This expansion happened because Mr. Payson gave the museum 17 paintings by the famous artist Winslow Homer and ten million dollars. The building now holds many modern paintings and special shows by artists from Maine. These artworks often focus on themes from the region.
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What Does the Building Look Like Outside?
Cobb, the architect, faced a challenge. He needed to design a building that was great for viewing art. But it also had to fit in with the different buildings around it. Congress Square has tall brick buildings on some sides. This meant the Payson Building needed to look strong and large.
However, the older, smaller museum buildings on Spring Street were also nearby. So, the Payson Building also needed to look smaller in some parts. Cobb's idea was to create a wide front made of red brick and gray granite. It has cool, rounded openings. This design was inspired by the old Libby Building that used to be there. The front of the building looks like a grand old palace, facing the public square.
Behind this main front, Cobb made the building gradually shorter and narrower. It ends up being much smaller at the back. By doing this, Cobb made sure the older, historic buildings still looked important.
Some other architects criticized Cobb's design. They said the front of the building was like a "curtain wall" or a "billboard." This is because it's made of a concrete frame with brick and concrete blocks. But Cobb said the front design actually shows what's inside. The round shapes represent the square art galleries. The rectangular brick parts show the rectangular hallways.
What Does the Building Look Like Inside?
Inside the Payson Building, you'll find many galleries. They have clean white walls and pine wood floors. Thin strips of granite are set into the floor. These granite strips mark out spaces that are about 20 feet by 20 feet. Cobb thought this was the perfect size for a gallery. More granite strips also show the rectangular hallways around each square gallery. Cobb placed walls with wide doorways over some granite strips to create different sized gallery spaces.
Cobb wanted the museum to show off the many different Winslow Homer paintings. So, he made the gallery spaces different sizes. He also changed the height of the ceilings. Some are 12.5 feet high, others are 25 feet, and some are even 37.5 feet high!
These varied galleries were designed so there isn't one clear path through the museum. Cobb said this layout was like the cities of New England. They don't have straight, grand streets. This design also lets you see glimpses of other galleries from where you stand. You can often see different levels through the wide doorways. This makes visiting the museum feel like an adventure!
One of the best things about the galleries is the lighting. It's very special. The ceilings are domed and let in natural daylight. This light comes from octagonal windows high up, called clerestory lanterns. These windows let in lots of sunlight but stop direct rays from hitting the art. Regular lights are also used, but they are often turned off during the day. The changing natural light makes the galleries feel alive. It highlights the art with what Cobb called "Portland Light."
Where Did the Ideas Come From?
When Cobb designed the Payson Building, he got ideas from many famous modern buildings. For example, the front of the Payson building was partly inspired by other buildings. These include the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India, and the Phillips Exeter Academy Library in New Hampshire. Both of these have rounded openings and large brick sections.
The special lighting in the Payson Building was inspired by other famous places. These include the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth, and the lanterns of Ely Cathedral.
Connecting to Maine
Cobb also really wanted the Payson Building to feel connected to Maine. He said, "The Portland Museum is a regional museum in a region that is itself a museum." He felt he had to link the new building to the city and the area.
To show this connection, Cobb used materials common in Maine. These included local brick, pine wood, and granite. These materials remind people of the old buildings in Portland. Think of the brick buildings in the Old Port or the Federal style brick homes near the museum.
Also, when you look up at the Payson Building, the rounded openings seem to capture the air and light of Maine. This makes them part of the building itself. The octagonal clerestory windows also do this. They remind people of the viewing decks on Maine's lighthouses. They also look like the octagonal Portland Observatory, a famous landmark in the city. Plus, some round, porthole-like windows offer views of the Fore River. This reminds everyone of Maine's rich history with the sea.
