The overall idea of the National Museum is based on the Islamic architectural tradition to close towards the exterior and to become more private and introspective towards the interior, to create an intimate, protected and harmonious environment. The masterplan and design concept of the museum takes its outset from a single element, central to Afghan architecture and urbanism, and adaptable to perform several architectural tasks in the design: “the wall”. The intention is to combine two potentially conflicting goals: to provide a high level of security while allowing the museum to become a symbol of a future of peace and prosperity for the country, and to awaken this feeling through the visit of the museum. The compartmentalizing perimeter wall structures the site, the route and the architectural appearance of the museum as one continuous meandering figure. The wall shifts freely in height to integrate necessary features such as watch towers on the exterior, and wind catchers. The wall is used to create an understandable and intuitive “timeline”, starting from the outdoor gardens and guiding through the museum itself.

Suspended between the meander of the wall, a simple and adaptable building system creates flexible spaces, with potential for future expansion. Small and large courtyards are just as easily included, and the design features a central, public courtyard as well as smaller private ones related to the workspaces. The walls provide the primary circulation routes of the building, act as light filters and natural ventilation ducts etc. Their design potential has been carefully studied, and the perforation and ornamentation of the walls increases towards the inner courtyard, to create subtle shifts in light and color. The existing gardens remain unchanged, and are flanked by a gentle ramp leading one storey down to access the museum. The sequence of exhibition spaces is envisaged as a varied “string of pearls”, with different lighting and display options in the various rooms. Flexibility is previsioned in the future extension options.