Abstract:
The impact of climate change is being felt across the globe, with rising temperatures, melting glaciers, erratic weather patterns, and increasing natural disasters posing serious threats to ecosystems and human settlements. In India, the Northeastern region—known for its rich biodiversity and distinct climatic zones—is particularly vulnerable. The region faces erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, frequent floods, and landslides, severely impacting agriculture, water resources, and traditional livelihoods. Keeping in mind its impact on a global and local scale, the Government of Meghalaya has proposed a Climate Change Museum in Shillong, Meghalaya region rich in biodiversity yet increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Situated near the scenic Elephant Falls, the site offers both ecological sensitivity and touristic potential, making it a strategic location to foster environmental awareness and climate action.
This thesis project proposes an experiential and educational space, informing visitors about the causes, impacts, and possible solutions to climate change, while celebrating Meghalaya’s unique vernacular wisdom and natural heritage. Moving beyond static displays, the design features interactive, immersive galleries themed around Water, Forests, Landslides, and Future Climate Scenarios. Each gallery narrates specific climate phenomena through architecture, light and spatial transitions using the site features.
The form and material palette of the museum draw inspiration from local building traditions aiming to create a built environment that is responsive to the land and climate.
In an era of growing environmental uncertainty, the Climate Change Museum can become medium of awareness and dialogue, rooted in its local context yet resonating with global ecological concerns.
Keywords: Climate Change, Museum, Experiential, Interactive, Nature, Vernacular
