Museology. Establishing the visitor's interaction between research, education and exhibition in the Ditsong : national museum of cultural history

Abstract

This dissertation originated from a lifetime of museum visits and thus a passion for museum design. The site is the Ditsong: National Museum of Cultural History located in Pretoria. The dissertation will argue that the Ditsong: National Museum of Cultural History has a well thought out organisational approach within their collection management. The museum's design approach to the interior however is not successful. The research surrounding the artefacts, the learning experience of the visitor and the exhibition design should all be linked. This will create an opportunity to establish a physical and experiential link between the above mentioned aspects and to engage the visitor to create a lasting memory after their visit is complete. User experience will be argued to be the connecting element between research, education and exhibition. This dissertation considered the interface between the museum visitor and the museum facilities, and how they can be connected through a design intervention to provide an optimum visitor experience at the Ditsong: National Museum of Cultural History. The design intervention consisting of the ramped walkway, main entrance, foyer and atrium aims to create a positive first impression to visitors of the Ditsong: National Museum of Cultural History. The onset visitor experience of the museum aims to stimulate the visitor's curiosity and encourage them to keep returning.