The Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve, situated on a hill close to the town of Vani in western Georgia, was initially founded in 1981 and first opened to the public in 1985. It houses the majority of the archaeological findings discovered on the site of Vani, many of which are of significant national and cultural value.
Awards
European Museum Forum - European Museum of the Year Award Winner
For this project, the Museum’s aspiration for a more contemporary conservational treatment facility and presentation of the exhibits required extensive remodelling and refurbishment works, as well as a major new extension to the existing building.
One of the key objectives was to create a more immersive visitor experience within the exhibition space and to link the museum with it’s valuable archaeological surroundings. The remodelled facilities provide modern exhibition spaces, a welcoming new entrance area and improved visitor circulation, whilst the new 3-storey extension offers additional flexible exhibition space, a new cafeteria / restaurant and a major new auditorium – creating an exciting new cultural and educational hub.
This expansion and remodelling scheme has allowed the Museum to expand it’s community programmes, ensuring participation of younger audiences and disadvantaged community groups. These activities range from summer school for children from families who cannot afford summer vacations to eco-literacy and civic education programmes and workshops for local teachers on how to use the museum’s resources to address war, environmental crisis, national identity and trans-culturalism. As the region’s only multi-functional public space, it is also a place for regional and international scientific meetings.
