Madras heritage museum

Idea projektu

The project aims to create a heritage museum in an Indian city that developed significantly during and due to the colonial period. The museum will serve as a space to reflect on the transformation of the city through its colonial past, showcasing how cultural, architectural, and socio-economic elements evolved. It will not just present history in a static form but offer an immersive journey into the world shaped by colonial encounters. Through thoughtfully curated exhibits and narrative-driven environments, the project seeks to make history come alive and accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Popis projektu

This project envisions a highly interactive and experiential museum that allows visitors to walk through the historical evolution of an Indian city shaped by colonial influences. The museum is not limited to displaying artifacts but aims to create an engaging and immersive journey through different time periods.

Visitors will move through spaces that recreate key moments and transformations in the city’s history—each zone designed with storytelling and sensory experiences in mind. These zones will include elements like reconstructed historical settings, life-sized games that simulate historical events, interactive displays, and movie set-style environments that reflect different eras in the timeline.

Additionally, there are reflection areas such as a ship deck representing trade and the seaward arrival of British, as well as zones that encourage discussion and contemplation about the impacts of colonization. By integrating digital media, architectural installations, and gamified learning, the museum becomes a living timeline—bringing the past into the present and sparking curiosity and critical thought about the future.

Technické informace

Made using local and traditional building materials and techniques to enhance the Sustainability in the construction as well as the running phases.

* The Heritage Museum of Chennai features replicas of monuments built in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, reflecting the city’s historic architectural legacy. They are made with locally sourced bricks and plastered to create an authentic look.

* The museum includes life-sized interactive games, such as a giant chessboard where each piece is as tall as an average adult, allowing visitors to physically participate.

* A replica train exhibit allows visitors to enter and explore displays depicting historical scenes and railway heritage.

* To ensure comfort during Chennai’s hot summers, the train exhibit incorporates:

  * Passive cooling techniques
  * Cross-ventilation
  * Shading elements
Design benefits from the museum’s open layout and proximity to the ocean, which enhance natural airflow