Event, a Chargeurs Museum Studio company, was chosen to provide masterplanning, interpretative planning, exhibition and graphic design and creative direction for a unique new museum in Oman.
The Oman Across Ages Museum opened in March 2023 after nearly a decade of work to make the vision of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said a reality. It is a museum with a mission to celebrate the creation of a nation and the endeavours of its people. The museum also aims to inspire young Omanis to connect to their rich history.
Bringing the idea to life
“It has been a long and humbling journey,” explains Esteban Botero, creative director. “We started working on the project back in 2014 at the masterplan stage. We were inspired by Oman’s beautiful landscapes, its people and deep history”.
“After years of dedication, at the opening celebrations it was satisfying to hear the client remark on how closely the initial visuals look like the final ‘product’. Some of the views match almost pixel for pixel. I think that this is because everyone on the wider project team was aligned on the vision of what we were trying to collectively achieve.”
A journey through time
The Oman Across Ages Museum offers a trip through Oman’s past, a celebration of its present, and a window into its future. In the History Gallery, visitors are taken on a journey, from the land’s geological formation, through many historical eras, dynasties, and civilizations. Meanwhile, in the Renaissance Gallery, they learn about Oman’s economic, technological, political and social modernisation under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said and His Majesty Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.
The design combines traditional museum principles with state-of-the-art media and technology. Archival and modern film material, photography, and the thoughtful application of augmented reality are combined with beautiful object displays.
A series of virtual environments lets guests step back in time, and they can also experience an incredible tour of Oman’s economic environment in a 360-degree theatre with a moving floor. Large media pillars serve as a barrier separating the History and Renaissance Galleries, which use historical materials on an architectural scale to depict the tale of HM Sultan Qaboos’ ascent to the throne.
With a permanent exhibition space measuring 9,000 square metres, and with some galleries reaching heights of over 20 metres, the team had the space and freedom to create something on an epic scale, honouring the nation’s rich heritage.
Collaboration was key
“We feel a great sense of accomplishment that we were able to develop this great project, in partnership with the Royal Court, the Main Committee, and the talented team of consultants, contractors and experts to deliver His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ vision for future generations of Omanis,” says Botero.
The masterplan Event developed served as a roadmap for the entire project. Event developed the architectural brief and, with the Royal Court, oversaw the ensuing global architectural competition, which led to the selection of the Australian firm Cox Architects. Event was later hired as the exhibition designer and creative director, and set up a project office in Oman. This local presence enabled the firm to coordinate and collaborate with the wider project team, including PICO the Main Exhibition Contractor, resulting in a high quality of work.
The Museum is devoted to examining the nation’s history and that of its father figure, Sultan Qaboos, who sadly passed away in the middle of the building process. Important adjustments were made to the collection and content as a result. Close collaboration between the client, several contractors, and Event produced well-thought-out and deliverable options, enabling a fast decision to be made with little sacrifice to cost and quality.
Event also recently announced that it has been appointed by Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Canada, to help deliver the museum’s major renovation – the Glenbow Reimagined Project.
All images credit Oman Across Ages Museum
