When I visited the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid a decade ago, I was amazed by the art on display. However, the experience of viewing art did not distract me from observing how people interacted with the museum space. At the Reina Sofia Museum, I reminisced about the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, Mumbai, which I frequented growing up. Established in 1922 to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales, the museum building inspired a sense of awe even before entering its halls. I reflected on why I was drawn to museum spaces as much as to the art they housed.

I revere good architecture, and well-designed museum spaces fall under it; they blend beauty and functionality. Museums function as cultural landmarks and guardians of the past. They encourage interactions between people. They educate, inspire, and engage visitors through immersive experiences. Museums are beautiful structures designed to nurture the nobler side of humanity.

Prachi Damle, Summer 2024