Working alongside Mumbai's CSMVS Museum, in 2018 we designed the second of two 'Museums On Wheels' for underprivileged youngsters, which travel to remote areas of Maharashtra as part of a pioneering outreach program. An initiative by the museum's children's division in partnership with Citibank, the idea is to promote education in rural parts of the state, giving those whose means do not permit it an opportunity to experience a museum.
Given the massive success of the program, it was one year into operations that Citibank decided to sponsor a second bus for CSMVS, and we were brought on board to design it. Having never previously ventured into the realm of museum or automobile designing, we decided to identify what Bus #1 was missing and explore how to heighten its efficiency, as well as improve the displays and the practicality of operations.
We started off by increasing the display length, allowing space for more items and thereby increasing the scope of the exhibit. Given that the Museum On Wheels carries artefacts, interactive demonstration kits, art supplies, audio-visual equipment and digital tools such as touch screens and tablets to set up exhibitions, this was an imperative measure. Larger display vitrines were also added for bulkier items, which in turn created pockets where the children could gather and still allow for comfortable movement. The vehicle was given two doors for entry and exit, in order to improve linear circulation; this shortened the average duration of a visit, thereby allowing more children per day to benefit. Staff seats were increased from three to five in number, with added privacy as well as separate access.
The interiors were designed keeping in mind viewing heights for youngsters from five to fifteen years old, and the vitrine sizes can be altered as per the requirement of a display. Track lights highlight each item, just like at a conventional museum. The palette is in muted greys and white with a wooden flooring, allowing for an exhibit to feature colour within the vitrines whenever required. The vehicle features mood lighting as well, with several colour options that can be chosen as per the nature of each exhibit, the idea being to create a system flexible enough for the curators.
We decreased the overall height of the bus from 13' to 12' and increased its internal height to 8' clear, which was only made possible by altering the air conditioning system. Given the travel involved, this allows for access to remote areas with low-hanging trees and underpasses common in and around villages. We also added exterior display windows, which were not a feature on the older bus, so that children standing outside the vehicle can be afforded a clear view of what is inside, so that introductions to the exhibit can take place before embarking.
The finishing touch was rebranding, designing a new logo that seamlessly incorporated both English and Marathi into a single sign, using both languages to establish a visual vocabulary for the Museum On Wheels.
