Asmat Museum

Their land consists of mangroves, swamps and rivers, and trees are of central importance to their way of life. Our draft is a reference to dugout canoes, which the Asmat use as a primary means of transport, and the elevated stilt or tree houses in which they live. We have designed an elongated, striped building that rests on three pillars representing the education, culture and health offers available inside. The elongated element houses the museum.

Inspired by a dugout canoe, this building will merge tradition and modernity in the jungles of New Guinea. The museum of the Asmat people, whose name translates to »People of the Tree«, will serve two primary purposes. It will protect the heritage of a rich, ancient culture, and it will shape the future productivity of the population by offering education and medical support. The draft has been inspired by the intriguing culture of the Asmat. Their land consists of mangroves, swamps and rivers, and trees are of central importance to their way of life. Our draft is a reference to dugout canoes, which the Asmat use as a primary means of transport, and the elevated stilt or tree houses in which they live. We have designed an elongated, striped building that rests on three pillars representing the education, culture and health offers available inside. The elongated element houses the museum.