Gone are the days of stuffy and quiet museums. In today's world, people seek unique experiences, an escape from reality, and a place where they can immerse themselves and express their creativity. With this in mind, we have asked our designers about the trends that are currently shaping museums. Read on to discover their insights

Mather & Co | 16 Feb 2024

Museums more and more are embracing technology to deliver new and engaging experiences Credit: Mather & Co
Gone are the days of stuffy and quiet museums. In today's world, people seek unique experiences, an escape from reality and a place where they can immerse themselves and express their creativity. With this in mind, experience design firm Mather & Co has asked its team of designers about the trends that are currently shaping museums.
Museums are embracing technology to create more interactive experiences for visitors. Artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual reality are breaking down barriers between exhibitions and visitors. This trend is expected to evolve further, with museums becoming detached from the traditional architectural structures we know today.
In the future, says Mather, museums may become accessible from anywhere and at any time through AV/VR technology, allowing users to engage with content in their own time and in a way that suits them.
Flexible spaces are the way forward. Museums are designing spaces that can be easily adapted for temporary exhibitions, events, workshops, and more.
This approach allows museums to become living, breathing, and evolving entities that can attract repeat visitors.
Sustainability is a significant consideration in museum design. Exhibitions are using recycled materials and exploring fabrication techniques to create environmentally friendly building blocks.
Museums are also incorporating interchangeable design elements, such as flexible graphic solutions, which can be refreshed and updated without requiring a full strip out.
Community garden projects are also becoming a popular addition to museum sites, promoting well-being for the local community.
Community engagement is becoming increasingly important in museum design - especially for Mather & Co. As the company moves forward, its designers say museums must understand how best to meet the needs of their communities.
What this means is local communities want to feel that they have a say in the ongoing development of their museums and that their voices are being heard.
The future of museums is exciting, with a host of opportunities for engaging visitors, experimenting with different technologies, and working closely with communities.
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