When Space Becomes Memory: A Sensory Reading of VIRASAT-E-KHALSA

Abstract

Virasat-e-Khalsa, a museum located in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, and designed by architect Moshe Safdie, is interpreted in this study as more than just a repository of Sikh history and artifacts. Viewed through a phenomenological lens, the research explores how the museum engages the full spectrum of human senses to shape cultural memory, transforming its interiors into a deeply embodied journey that goes beyond intellectual understanding. The study examines sensory encounters—sight, sound, touch, light, texture, and spatial movement—as integral components of the visitor’s experiential narrative. Observational analysis highlights how natural and artificial light, monumental scale, and carefully chosen materiality construct layered visual stories. At the same time, silence, the reflective presence of water, and immersive audio-visual installations generate powerful acoustic atmospheres that heighten emotional resonance. Spatial sequencing is revealed not merely as circulation, but as a deliberate narrative tool, guiding visitors through stages of remembrance that merge architectural intent with cultural symbolism and historical significance. Findings suggest that Virasat-e-Khalsa transcends its role as a static container of heritage, instead functioning as a performative and living space where sensory experience and cultural remembrance are inseparable. The interiors here become memory itself—felt, seen, heard, and embodied by each visitor. Ultimately, the research underscores the broader potential of sensory design strategies in heritage and museum interiors. By weaving together light, sound, materiality, water, scale, and bodily movement into a carefully choreographed spatial performance, designers can create immersive environments that not only preserve history but also deepen cultural understanding, strengthen emotional connection, and sustain collective identity across generations.