Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) is the world’s largest practice dedicated to the planning and design of museums and narrative environments.

Past and current projects—over 850 commissions in 52 countries—include many of the world’s most recognisable cultural attractions. With international studios located in New York, London, Berlin and Beijing, the practice draws together designers, architects, artists, historians, educators, media-makers, technologists, writers, and poets that are passionate about encouraging a mindful connection to the world around us. Since RAA’s founding in 1978, it has been honoured with every major award for design and communication.

The firm is guided by the belief that connective and transformative experiences in public spaces are essential for individuals, communities, cities, and nations. More than 75,000,000 people encounter RAA’s work every year.

Capabilities

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) offers comprehensive interpretive solutions, from a project's concept phase to its realisation. In addition to museum and exhibition planning, design, and implementation, RAA offers a range of additional services that addresses a variety of client’s needs, including interpretive masterplanning, content research and development, fundraising material preparation, brand identity development, and monument and memorial design.

Planning:

Conceptualisation
Comparables Analysis
Precedents and Best Practices
Analysis of Potential
Audience Growth
Business Plans and Operating Projections
Operations and Facilities Planning
Site Plans
Masterplanning
Consulting

Design:

Exhibition Design
Retail Experience and Design
Content and Script Development and Coordination
Graphic Design
Fundraising Materials
Media and Interactive Development
Exhibition Infrastructure Requirements
Heritage Preservation and Conservation
Prototyping and Material Sampling

Media Production:

Executive Media Production
Concept Development for Films and Interactives
Scriptwriting
Storyboarding
Art Direction
Photography and Filming
Video Editing
Animation
Interaction Design
Programming
Production Oversight

Management:

Overall Project Management
Scheduling
Subconsultant Coordination
Financial Budgeting
Fabrication Oversight
Installation and Site Coordination

Branding:

Visual Identity
Brand Applications

Digital:

Web Design
Web Development
Content Syndication
Interactive and Multimedia
E-Learning Sites
Internet Marketing
Public Programmes and Events
Web-based Programmes

Awards

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) has been awarded over 500 awards in the fields of design and communication.

RAA projects have received the iF Design Award, Museums + Heritage Award, Red Dot Award, German Design Award, SEGD Global Design Award, IDSA International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), Blooloop Innovation Award, Architecture Masterprize, Themed Entertainment Association Award (Thea), and GOOD DESIGN® Award, among others.

In 2026, the firm was selected as one of Dezeen’s Top Companies.

Projects

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) has worked on over 1,000 projects in 53 countries. These include:

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, UAE
Light and Peace Museum, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Visitor Centre, UAE
International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum, UK
The Crown Jewels Exhibition, UK
John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History, Nigeria
Obama Presidential Center Museum, USA
National Museum of African American History and Culture, USA
American Museum of Natural History, USA
Lost Shtetl Museum, Lithuania
Humboldt Forum, Germany
The Harris, UK
SS Great Britain Experience, Dockyards Museum, UK
Second World War Galleries, Imperial War Museum, UK
Lavazza Museum, Italy
Museum of the Viking Age, Norway
Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History, Germany
International African American Museum, USA
Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Canada
Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza, China

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Ralph Appelbaum Associates