2024 | Professional

NY Architectural Design Awards Silver Winner Winner

Museum of Silence and Memory

Entrant Company

Xidian Wang

Category

Cultural Architecture - Memorials and Monuments

Client's Name

Country / Region

India

The proposed design for the Museum of Silence and Memory is a symbolic architectural response dedicated to commemorating women who have been victims of systemic oppression due to cultural and societal injustices. This project creates a powerful spatial narrative that reflects the weight of silence surrounding their stories.



At the heart of the memorial stands a large, black spherical form, hovering just above the ground without directly touching it. This floating structure creates an impression of immense pressure, symbolizing the emotional and societal burden carried by these women. Beneath it, a subtle depression in the earth evokes the silent impact of their lives, illustrating the immense gravity of their absence.



Visitors are invited to descend into an underground museum space that contains a space for contemplation with a water feature and steles in the centre. The displays offer a quiet, solemn tribute, giving a sense of the individuality and dignity of each woman remembered here.



Inside the spherical form, visitors ascend a series of stairs into a dimly lit, ethereal space. This interior is free of material objects, except for the faint reflections of faces aboveā€”a poignant reminder of the individuals whose stories are often overlooked in broader social discourse. Through this immersive architectural experience, the design attempts to evoke a feeling of collective responsibility and contemplation, giving presence to lives that should never be forgotten.



The Museum of Silence and Memory, through its minimal yet evocative design, creates a sacred space for reflection and acknowledgement of the past, offering a place for healing.

Credits

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