Museums are landmark structures in themselves. Each museum is a collection of some of the most exquisite things and concepts. Considering the rarity and extraordinary nature of things that are to be displayed within the premises, the architecture of a museum too needs to have an extraordinary quality to it. 

Architects and designers of the world have deployed their creative side well while designing museums. Such structures give them a chance to experiment and create something truly unique and remarkable. 

As travel picks up post covid, museums of the world are bound to be a stop on people’s itineraries. What better to attract the tourist crowd while creating a buzz for itself, than creating something that truly stands out. Some of the museums have been able to hit this mark just right with their one of  a kind design and concept approaches. 

Here’s a round up of some of the most extraordinary museums of the world that are too good to be missed: 

#1 MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE, DUBAI 

The leader of the pack has to be the Museum of the future in Dubai which opened its doors to visitors just last month. This museum is extravagance personified. True to its name, the museum of the future looks straight out of our futuristic imaginations.

On a first look, its exterior is a thing of bewilderment. Made of stainless steel with windows carved in the shape of Arabic inscriptions citing quotes from the king, the building is nothing short of stunning. The quotes from the ruler have been inscribed onto the building with the help of 3D printing technology.

The shape of the exterior itself is rather unique with a torus shaped concept. The entire architecture and concepts revolves around a single word “future” which is why tht interior and the overall building has been with a union of science, technology and design in mind.

Looking inside the building, every floor of the museum is depicting a different facet of the future, from representations of outer space to the creation of a nature scenic concept signifying sustainability, this museum is rather exquisite.

Not only does its design reflect the future, but it is also a landmark in sustainability with a low carbon design with passive solar architecture meant to be a leading example for low carbon buildings of the future. 

#2 THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM, CANADA 

The Royal Ontario Museum with its extension added in 2007 is a rather mesmerizing structure to look at. If one looks at the building, there is a feeling of modernity bursting through the past as a bold crystal shaped extension bursts through the building.

The very idea was to signify the importance of technology and innovation. The extension concept has been named Michael Lee Chin crystal. The crystal has been formed with interlocking prisms set together. The crystal has been neatly made with a steel facade with additional aluminum cladding. The tinted glass windows overlook the streets.

The structure of the crystal is such that it gives a peek into the historic gallery through its network of bridges and the infamous staircase of wonders which is rather gorgeous. The addition of the crystal has been able to rectify the functional issues of the museum and develop better vantage points through this structure.

The crystal itself is host to a nature and  culture themed exhibit which is rather stellar. As chaotically beautiful the exterior is, the inside is rather neat, minimal and linear with a seamless design efficiently binding the space altogether.

One of the most complex projects of the region, the crystal has become a world renowned spot and a tourist attraction as a “luminous beacon” added to the street. 

#3 MESSNER MOUNTAIN MUSEUM, ITALY

Sitting atop the crown of Mount Kronplatz, the messner mountain museum sits 2,275 meters towering above the sea level. In the lap of the mountain, amidst the alpine peaks, this museum is a celebration of the discipline of mountain climbing.

The structure has been built into the mountain itself in a manner to make one experience the coves and turns of a mountain inside itself. The idea to have it overlooking different angles of the mountain too was well embraced with terraces opening to the outside.

The exterior is built completely from light toned glass fiber concrete panels which had been very intricately crafted to keep up with the unique demands of the structures curves and shapes. The overall exterior has a very modern and clean look right in the middle of the greenery.

The architecture inside too is made to resonate with nature first through its shapes and curves, and through a special waterfall like staircase concept which is rather enchanting. To invite views and the fresh sunlight, huge panoramic windows run around the museum while also helping regulate its internal temperature.

While the entire structure is in box like structures, edgy balconies open up to the outside giving a view of the beautiful peaks while also adding a bit of flair to the museum making it truly one of a kind. 

#4 SOUMAYA MUSEUM, MEXICO

The Soumaya Museum or Museo soumaya is an icon of a museum. Truly extraordinary at the very first sight, this museum is a class apart. Unlike any conventional layout, the exterior and build of this museum is a unique architecture experiment.

The building itself is shaped like a rotated rhomboid which gives the eclectic twist. Tall steel pillars gelled seamlessly in the building uphold the structure to strength.The entire exterior shines at the stroke of sunlight as the entire facade is made of hexagonal shaped mirror tiles giving a stroke of modernity.

This design is a true expression of creativity as the architecture did not have to deal with any prerequisites simply apart from the number of floors that the gallery was to have. Inside the gallery lay the beautiful sculpture pieces crafted by Auguste Rodin.

Just as symphonetic and gorgeous as the structure is the building. Wide ramps clad with sophisticated wooden floors wrap around the different floors of the museum.

The design gives space for the sculptures to be the ones to shine, highlighting it through architecture and lighting. This museum is true work of art, inside out which has made it one of the most appreciated tourist points in Mexico and for all the right reasons! 

#5 MUSEUM AAN DE STROOM, BELGIUM 

The Museum Aan De Stroom of Belgium is a true trailblazer in museum architecture with its simple yet breathtaking structure. Located at the heart of antwerp, a region famous for being the center of art and culture in the nation, the museum stands apart.

The structure looks almost like  a neat stack of boxes. It has been kept rather simple on the eyes, with a unique shape and materials that bring it to the forefront. The entire building is scored in a bright shade of red as the exterior is cladded with fine red sandstone imported from Rajasthan, India.

Amidst the bright red facade, lie beautiful glass panoramic windows intended to give a pleasing look at the city’s skylines. Much like the specially curated sandstone, the glass for the exterior windows too was specially crafted in Vernon exclusively for this museum.

Different hues of the sandstone have been put together effectively with the glass in th exterior to play on lights and shadows to ace the aesthetics of the building. While the design may look simplistic, the geometric precision and attention to detail makes the structure extraordinary.

As one looks inside, the floors have been sequentially rotated at an angle forming a beautiful cascading spiral giving it the magical must see look and form.