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Museum of Art & Science

The Birla Art & Science Museum in Hyderabad is seen as a thematic garden of marvels. It will have . . .

the Court of Elements

the Court of Discovery

the Court of Cosmologies &

the Court of Secrets

As one climbs the steps towards the Planetarium, one will see first the decorated caves. These will be caves lit by small lamps and will display archaelogical artefacts, masks and works of art on its walls. A little further, one would walk into the Nature-Science Labyrinth, with its many-fold pathways into the world of insects and flowers and trees. The Labyrinth will be a journey from botany to the technological dream.

Ground floor plan, Birla Museum, Hyderabad

On the top of the hill, one would enter the Court of Elements.This will be a courtyard with the four elements of water, fire or light, earth and sky. From this court, one would enter the Museum building, into the entrance lobby. Within the Museum, the three exhibition galleries would display art and science exhibitions. The exhibits may be temporary or permanent. From gallery 1, a small door would lead into the Court of Secrets.

The Court of Secrets would have playful and scientific forms, installations that are enchanting and beyond comparison. The Court of Cosmologies that can be entered from Gallery 3 will be a glimpse into the fascinating world of the Cosmos. The Court of Discovery will lead to interactive outdoor functioning machines and inventions. It will further take one along the hill on a nature trail to discover various life-forms and man’s interpretations of their oneness.

First floor plan, Birla Museum

The need exists to bring in a larger audience into the Birla complex. The building will therefore be placed in the larger context of the hill & the Birla Mandir. This may ideally need a physical connection. If not, a system may be put in place whereby visitors to the Mandir are offered a shuttle service and the entrance plaza & parking area of the existing Science Centre may be redesigned for this need.

The architectural design attempts to create a built-form which will merge with the surrounding landscape and therefore it has only a ground and a first floor. With a site as unique as this one, it is important that experiencing the rock, the trees, the sky and the city beyond are enmeshed with the experience of viewing the art.

Museum Gallery spaces for sculpture