INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY MUSEUM

LOCATION

Speedway, Indiana

ARCHITECT

Akshay Srinivas;

Shriyak Singh

YEAR

2020 / Academic

PROGRAM

Urban / Museum

SCALE

250,000 sqft

Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), also called the 'Brickyard' is the home of the famous Indy500. It is not just a racetrack though. It is a symbol of speed, innovation, and human perseverance It is a symbol of the great American spirit. IMS remembers and celebrates a glorious past of invention and industriousness. At the time of its conception, in 1907, the track was seen as a testing ground for new car manufactures and enthusiast who wanted to try new technologies and techniques before they made it to the new consumer cars of the time. With such a unique history of over 113 years, it has created a special place for itself in the hearts of innumerable race fans and car enthusiasts across the globe. Every year Indy500 attracts more than 400,000 fans to Speedway, Indiana, 5 miles North-West of Indianapolis, many of whom come here every year. IMS hosts multiple events all year round. Apart from Indy500, it has also seen Nascar, F1, and MotoGP action. 

Within the 2.5-mile-long oval is housed a prized collection of invaluable cars which are on showcase in museum sitting at the southern end of the track, within the oval. However, the scale of the building is inappropriate for the shear size and scale of the event, the track, and the collection of amazing artefacts. Hence, the museum administration is looking for expansion and revamping of the existing facilities, almost quadrupling the existing area. 

Indy500 is "The Great Attractor" of the racing world. Hence, the design of the IMS Museum is driven around identifying and establishing points of focus, of the Past, the Present, and the Future. We want to highlight the centrality of the event and explore the world which wraps around it.

With this context we set out to design the new museum complex for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The solution we present is both functional and respectful of the significance of the track and the race. The form tries to emulate speed and motion, deriving its inspiration from one the marvels of race car design, the aerodynamic front wing of an Indy500 car. The museum interacts effortlessly with its surroundings, providing key vantage points to view the race during race day, while also celebrating the past, present, and future of IMS. There are 3 distinct parts of the building - 1. The Museum, 2. The brickyard Street, 3. The Innovation centre, tied together seamlessly. 

The museum experience is choreographed to inspire awe in the visitor and create a lasting experience. The central nucleus houses Indy500 exhibits while the surrounding exhibit spaces house Nascar, F1, MotoGP, and other supporting artefacts arranged chronologically as we move through the museum. The top floor also has an observation deck, making it one of the prime locations to observe the race, overlooking Turn-2. The Brickyard Street is a connection between the entry plaza and the Memorial garden, and also between the museum and the Innovation Centre. It is envisioned as a communal space, open for public use. Beyond this lies the Innovation Centre which allows car enthusiasts to bring their own cars and work along side professionals, bringing in commerce for the museum but also pays homage to the history of IMS. The façade is made up of dynamic fins to regulate sunlight inside the building.