Dinosaur Museum : Museum of Extinction – Subterranean Cultural Architecture as a Medium for Deep Time Narratives | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

The project site is located in Balasinor, Gujarat, covering a total area of 22,270 sqm. At present, there is a small museum on the site, but it has limited space, fewer artifacts, and a restricted display area. About 300 meters away lies an important excavation site where numerous dinosaur fossils have been discovered. Remarkably, around 10,000 dinosaur eggs were found here, making it the world’s third-largest dinosaur egg hatchery. One of the most significant findings is the complete fossil of Rajasaurus, which emphasizes the rich prehistoric value of the region.

The proposed museum intervention aims to overcome the limitations of the existing facility by introducing larger and more diverse spaces. The program includes exhibition halls, interactive galleries, in-situ displays, and immersive display techniques such as VR/AR experiences. These varied approaches help visitors understand different periods of Earth’s history and the nature of dinosaurs in a more engaging way.

Design Process

The concept behind the museum was to create a subterranean design, inspired by the nearby excavation site. Although no actual fossils were found on the main site, the intention was to make visitors feel as if discoveries were made there. To achieve this, fossils are placed partially on walls and integrated into the structure, giving the impression of an ongoing excavation. The design process began by analyzing the scale and volume of various dinosaurs from different periods and then translating those volumes into spatial arrangements.

The museum is divided into distinct blocks representing the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous eras, allowing visitors to experience the evolutionary timeline. The stepwell served as a major design inspiration, as the site lies in a hot and dry region. Moving underground makes the space cooler, acting as a passive cooling technique. Skylights and skywells placed at intervals bring natural light deep into the museum.

Final Outcome

Since the entire museum is designed subterranean, the idea was to also emphasize the ground level. To achieve this, a bold red wall is placed along the periphery of the museum. As the frontage faces the main road, the wall helps conceal activities on the ground floor while acting as a backdrop for carved murals that narrate stories from prehistoric times. 

Skylights are integrated at different points, allowing visitors to view artifacts even from above. At ground level, an open-air theatre and an AR/VR zone was introduced for interactive experiences. Inside, the centerpiece is the largest dinosaur fossil, positioned at the core of the museum. 

Floors are strategically cut, and a circular ramp spirals around it, offering views from multiple levels up to the roof. The museum is divided into periods: Triassic with small rocky exhibits, Jurassic with greener vegetation, and Cretaceous with massive dinosaurs. 

Another block, “The Gap,” separates this timeline, housing Ice Age megafauna in cooler environments and marine life displayed in double-height spaces to represent the sea. Each level is further divided into split paths, creating a continuous journey for visitors.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the project envisions the museum experience as a journey mirroring the discovery process, connecting people to deep time and buried history through an environment that evokes mystery and wonder.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]