Since this museum belongs to the new generation of museums called “Thematic Museums”, my main objective was to identify ways of problem-solving for designing such a new museum which is essentially dedicated to intangible heritages. Because these museums are not object based and architecture contributes to the representation of specific theme in design process I had to be more conscious of with Iranian myths to find the proper architectural concepts. Therefore, a large part of this project focused on studying mythological matters in order to create a clear conceptual plan to design the general structure and the scenario of the exhibition.

 

Another part of the study, museology, included examining the notion of museums as socio- cultural institutions and their specific potentials. In this part, I studied a brief history of evolution of museums as well as several new methods of exhibition, and design elements in recently constructed museums all over the world. Meanwhile, five examples of thematic museums were surveyed.

 

The site of the project was located next to Persepolis, one of the most important historical and cultural sites in Iran. Designing such a thematic museum close to this famous site was one of the most challenging parts of the project. My approach was to create a dialogue between the museum and certain elements of Persepolis.

Finally, in the last part, which was an explanation of the design process, I represented several alternatives and architectural concepts that consequently led to ultimate design presentations. In this part, I tried to show how the design process could be based on the results of pre-design studies presented in three previous chapters.

Choosing this subject for master's thesis is grounded in my personal engagement in architectural design. During my study in university, especially in graduate degree, I had been sought for a specific language in architecture. It is rooted in the critical situation I have found in Iranian architecture with regard to the gap between traditional Iranian architecture and the modern one time. Thus, I have always looked for a way to make a reconcilement between these two attitudes in architectural design. In my opinion, mythology as a fundamental a deep study in structure and elements of every culture was an attractive subject during this project, since by this choice and following this way I enabled me become more closer to the epistemological roots of Iranian architecture in order to give a contemporary and modern interpretation of it.

A great part of this project was dedicated to studying mythological issues, these subjects were important for two reasons: 1-it was necessary for studying the subject of project and its conceptual planning to design the general structure of exhibition and its general scenario. 2- As the architect of the museum I needed pre-design study of the content of subject.

Another part of the study included examining the notion of museum as a socio- cultural institution and its specific potentials. 

During the design process, which was parallel to studying phases of the subject, I attempted to find an appropriate architectural language, through architectural surveys. Therefore, in different phases, I began sketches and architectural practices which was indeed a kind of design survey and study. Here, I introduce some of these practices some of which are in the form of general sketches to find form and space and the others are separate alternatives in view of designing the whole museum.

Ultimately, the final design of museum is introduced through images and drawings. During studying and designing, this project brought me various points and it is a reversion point in my way in design surveys.