Renaissance Museum

Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects’ design for the Renaissance Museum in Oman takes inspiration from cultural tradition of not only regional and local history of construction and design, but also elements of the modern day. The museum houses a library, auditorium, restaurant, inside and outside exhibition spaces, as well as landscaped gardens.

An oasis in the desert, architecture of the museum takes influences from features of its place – the climate, the cultural history, the environment and the landscape. Principles of symmetry and geometric order are core components of Islamic architecture and they also form the starting point for design of the Renaissance Museum.

So-called Renaissance gallery has vault structures and an impressive light cylinder on top of it. Clean and geometrical massing gives the building its identity and the recognizable charisma. The design avoids excessiveness and creates a sense of awe and impressiveness through creating a tranquil and modest design.

The building consists of two main components: the perimeter building that acts as a frame and the more expressive inner volumes that rise above it like precious boxes of jewels. The most important functions, the lobby facilities and the Renaissance gallery, are in these two volumes.

Using Oman’s traditional ‘Afalaj’ irrigation system, many gardens are situated around the museum site, each presenting moments of Omani history and achievements. The rest of the terrain becomes a native wild garden, showcasing the natural flora of the country.

Façade clad in local stone and with local craftsmanship. Stone used throughout, including as floor surfaces inside and out, will use local techniques and decorations. The comprehensive use of this material will give a solemn and monolithic quality to the finished building. In contrast to the massiveness of the stone material, copper is used as lattice-like shading elements, crafted together with precision cut ornamental stone.