placemaking
The Situation
The Museum of Ritual Life (MoRaL) is a conceptual design project that reimagines an unused railway tunnel beneath Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens into a vibrant cultural and communal hub. Museum of Ritual Life bridges personal stories and collective heritage, emphasising that cultural heritage is not static—it is shaped and reshaped by the rituals and practices of everyday people. The space invites visitors to contemplate their own rituals while contributing to a shared cultural narrative, fostering a deeper connection with humanity, history, and culture.
Personal notes
This was my BA diploma project in interior design, developed before receiving any formal training in place-making, service design, or co-design. Every decision was driven by my intuitive fascination with cultural anthropology and rituals, the challenge of transforming underutilised spaces, and my passion for creating meaningful human interactions.
Concept and Vision
Rituals as tangible tools
MoRaL highlights the transformative power of rituals inspired by using rituals in psychotherapy to shape not only personal values but also communal and societal structures. Visitors are invited to reflect on their own practices and explore how rituals foster individual resilience and cultural identity.
Cultural Participation as Action
At its heart, this project is about creating a place for collective introspection—where people can connect with their own rituals while discovering the shared practices that unite us. As I developed this concept, I wanted to create a space that doesn’t just display culture but actively builds it, contributing to a resilient and connected community.
Exhibition and Visitor Experience
Exploration Across Dimensions
The museum provides a layered and engaging experience, encouraging visitors to explore cultural heritage in multiple way in iterative manner:
Personal Reflection:
Visitors are guided to explore their own rituals, uncovering their emotional and cultural significance through interactive exhibits and workshops or individual worksheets.Cultural Context and Evolution:
The museum also exhibits origins and evolution of rituals, illustrating how cultural practices adapt over time to reflect societal changes. Brief, accessible historical snippets connecting past traditions with contemporary life in a way that feels relevant and meaningful.
Interactive and Evolving Exhibition
Using an app, visitors can listen to the stories behind the sculptures, extending engagement beyond the physical space. This creates a virtual exhibition that allows the museum to be experienced remotely. The app also serves as a tool to book places for seminars, workshops, and individual ritual planning sessions, making it a gateway to a deeper, personalized museum experience. Visitors can contribute new stories, turning the exhibition into a living, evolving collection of everyday rituals.
Spatial Experience
Site
The project reimagines a 500-meter abandoned railway tunnel beneath Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. This forgotten space, with entrances at Great Western Road and Ford Road, offered an incredible opportunity to create something dramatic and meaningful.
Integration into the Urban Fabric
The design transforms the tunnel into a dual-purpose space—a museum and a transitional pedestrian walkway. Where it was possible, the aim was blurring the boundaries between the underground environment and the surrounding city for easing the contrast between these spaces.
Reflection and Connection
The tunnel’s sensory deprivation becomes a design strength at a point, providing opportunities for focus and introspection. Meanwhile, vibrant communal areas foster interaction and shared experiences, balancing reflection with connection.
Sculptures as Connection Points
The design features sculptures strategically placed to connect the underground space with the urban environment while expressing the deeply human and universal nature of rituals. Each sculpture represents a moment from someone’s ritual, turning personal experiences into tangible cultural artifacts.
