Islamic Museum of Australia (2011)
Client: Islamic Museum of Australia
The design of the Islamic Museum of Australia aims to challenge ideas of what and how an Islamic museum in Australia should be. It’s design is basically built around the idea of an “Islamic Exploratorium.” It is envisaged as a vanguard of interactive and participatory experiences. The mission being to create a culture of awareness and understanding through innovative environments, programs and tools that help people nurture their curiosity about Islam. >>
From the outset we were determined that the galleries would be interactive, not just an array of touch screens but real working exhibits as characterised by some of the better museums around the world. The galleries themselves are blank canvases, ready for the exhibit designer to go to work – whether permanent, visiting, interactive or controlled climate. A meandering path linking levels or crossing itself allows groups to come into contact occasionally.
The journey through the space is punctuated by the garden which backs onto the Merri Creek. It serves not only as an ideal circuit breaker perhaps for lunch and reflection but also as an interface with the walking and bike path that parallels the Creek. The garden is also themed on interactivity. Working installations such as a water clock, a distillation cauldron and in this case a sundial where the person is the actual dial adds to the overall experience.
