The museum was commissioned for His Majesty’s birthday and aims to be an Islamic heritage centre that will continuously collect artefacts, research and spread its findings to the Ummah and worldwide.
The museum, designed by world renowned architect, Pei Partnership is located near the existing State Mufti’s building and, houses and conserves over 1,000 Islamic artefacts ranging from His Majesty’s personal collection of hand-written Al-Qurans, an exquisite range of walking sticks and prayer beads dating from early Islamic periods to the late 19th century.
The project comprises of nine permanent galleries (Balai), designed by Jasper Jacob Associates, which total 3,150sqm including ancillary areas, displaying 29 themes from the development of Islam in the Sultanate and religious pilgrimages to the creation of mankind and the universe, astronomy and Islamic explorers.
The ancillary areas include temporary exhibition galleries, a bookstore and refreshment area. Within the basement of the museum, sits a selection of collection management spaces fully furnished with highly specialised laboratory equipment for accessioning, digital imaging, quarantine treatments (fumigation etc.) and conservation.
BECK’s works included conserved showcases, audio visual hardware, set works, replicas and architectural models, plinths and mounts, special equipment, loose furniture and the transfer and programming of the multimedia production content. BECK was responsible for the full technical development, prototyping and sampling, management and fabrication of the specified packages above.
BECK’s involvement in the project spanned from initial content and design development right through to project completion. During the initial phases, the client stressed that there were a huge number of artefacts housed all over Brunei to be amalgamated in to the new museum. Due to the sheer quantity and complexity of artefacts available, BECK and its specialist mount makers, assisted with a full artefact survey and, provided logistical help to move large and important pieces. Each mount was then bespoke-fabricated to suit the individual artefacts.
This project, although challenging, was hugely enjoyable and we are so proud the be part of such an iconic project.
