Over the course of a building's history, it may take on functions other than those for which it was originally designed. This is the case, for example, with houses that have become museums—either because they became architectural icons or because they eventually lost their original purpose and underwent renovation to host an exhibition space.
When houses are transformed into museums, their original purpose—to shelter people—gives way to sheltering memory. While the building's structure remains, the interior space may or may not be remodeled to accommodate its new use. In cases where historic residences are visited precisely for their architectural value, the layout and furniture are critical elements in the visual experience of the object on display—the house itself. Conversely, when art collections are housed in former residences, the pre-existing layout can guide the exhibition route, organizing different historical periods, movements, or styles into distinct rooms.
Thus, visiting a house-museum allows one to experience "two places" simultaneously: the house as a built space, and the museum as an exhibition venue. We have selected 17 projects, ranging from houses adapted to host museums to houses that are museums in their own right. Explore them below:
