Reimagining the medical museum experience

A typical medical museum is a functional, dry space with a series of factual exhibits labeled, organized and displayed for the serious student to study. From a design perspective — there is no conscious effort to engage and involve the student; and in a dynamic, digital age — given static and passive exhibits; the student is more and more disengaged .
The first museum I ever had the opportunity to redesign gave ample opportunity for my team and me to think afresh. The display had been unchanged for over fifty years while the exhibits were of the finest quality — the best and the largest collection, we were informed, in Asia. Here’s what our design thinking was — it just so happens that for centuries, artists and creators have been inspired by the human body, now what if we could inspire students and visitors alike to relate and to ‘feel’ that the museum and all that it is showcasing is a living artistic expression and embodiment of their own body — its countless miracles, the coming together of art and science, its possibilities and limitations. MAP, The Manipal Anatomy and Pathology Museum is designed to inspire and has already made a difference to the minds of thousands of children and hundreds of students and visitors, besides winning acclaim.
The Medical Museum at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre has been another opportunity to rethink, reimagine and design something altogether new and fresh. Given that we are working on the branding of the hospital and medical college and have positioned it towards fulfilling the founders vision of being the most patient centric hospital in the country — we developed a lateral strategy to rethink the mandatory Medical Museum as being more! Making it all that it has to be while also becoming a center of excellence — A Medical Discovery and Research Centre that invites students on a journey through life. Mrs Kalpaja Dalavoi, Director, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, a brave visionary wanted nothing less than the best in the world and pushed us to stretch our imagination while using our resources intelligently.
A futuristic and new age medical learning, discovery and research facility at Vydehi, Bangalore
Inspired by the journey of human life, from birth to its development into adulthood, to death and beyond, with an understanding of what transpires at the molecular level, which new diseases are likely to affect us and how — VIDA is a resource and facility that Vydehi has invested in for its students and the community. The 50,000 sq ft facility is now home to an Integrated and Interactive Museum, a Multimedia Theatre and a well stocked and carefully designed Library.
VIDA thus is a comprehensive and informative medical facility that creates an immersive and captivating experience with the best of design and technology to create a new global benchmark. VIDA in Sanskrit stands for knowledge and discovery, it evokes the unity of all life where students and even visitors can find a new fascination for every aspect of human life, from the macro level to the micro.
The Medical Museum in VIDA is one of the most comprehensive medical museums in India, with carefully curated specimens, information and visuals, in its various departments — Anatomy, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Radiology, Forensics, Taxonomy and Community Medicine, bringing alive the experience of learning with over 3432 specimens and samples on display.
It’s time that we, as a nation invested in the design of learning experiences, that are immersive, captivating and transformative.
Which is exactly the goal with VIDA — to kindle a fascination towards life in medical students in a learning environment, that is neat and beautiful, that throbs with information, provocations and illustrations and is augmented with technology.
Investing in the best of Design and Technology to create a new global benchmark.

We (SPREAD Design and Innovation and the extended team of innovators and partners — Vinformax, Artnat, Design Koncept and OSS) see this project as an opportunity to demonstrate that great design and the latest technology can come together to enthrall and create a futuristic learning experience, as long as our leaders are ready to invest time and resources in a higher quality of experience for students and the public, ensuring that our nation makes great leaps in learning.