Taking an Emotional Journey through Time and Space

"We shape our buildings, and afterward, our buildings shape us." – Winston Churchill

When was the last time you visited a museum? For me, I recently took a trip to Washington D.C. with my wife and son, and we were overwhelmed, in a good way, with the wealth of options available to us. Air and Space Museum, Museum of Natural History, Museum of African American History and Culture, National Gallery of Art, and the list goes on.

Besides being a great place to spend some time, what is the true purpose of museums? This is a question I have often pondered. If you Google the “purpose of museums,” you will get the following: To collect, preserve, interpret, and display objects of artistic, cultural, or scientific significance for the education of the public.

It is an adequate answer for the average person, but not enough for me. You see, unlike collectors who just fill space, a thoughtful museum curator creates a space. When a curator designs a museum, they think about how a visitor will be immersed in the space from the moment they see the building they are being drawn into a comprehensive sensory experience. When you walk into the building, you are intentionally transported to another time and place, and your senses open up to see what you will discover. Each room, every piece of art, intentionally placed to pique your curiosity, expand your sense of wonder, and motivate you to keep exploring. Even the soundscape is curated to put you in the right emotional state and mindset. It is really amazing to think about the impact this type of experience can have on you if you go into it with the right perspective.

What if we designed our lives and living spaces to be immersive like an inspirational museum? What would that look like for you? What would you fill your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual space with? Take a few moments to think about that a see what you come up with...