Naval Museum, Bangladesh Military Museum — Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Military Museum in Dhaka, inaugurated in 2022, was commissioned to share the story of the Bangladesh Navy, tracing its evolution since the country’s independence in 1971. In collaboration with Dhaka-based architects MDM Associates and London exhibition designers Real Studios, Foster Lomas played a key role in realizing this expansive subterranean naval museum, which spans 3,000 sqm across its exhibition and recreational spaces.

The museum’s design unfolds over two floors of newly constructed facilities, offering exhibition spaces that represent all branches of the Bangladeshi armed forces. The subterranean layout immerses visitors in a world reflecting the Navy’s multi-dimensional operations across land, sea, and air. Interactive exhibits and displays are woven throughout, showcasing an extensive collection of artefacts from the Navy’s archives, from boats and helicopters to weaponry. A highlight of the design is an augmented reality experience, allowing visitors to step into the roles of divers and submariners and explore their daily lives through immersive storytelling.

Foster Lomas was responsible for developing the interior architectural concept, integrating a 4D cinema, VR theatre, custom-designed furniture, sculptural ceiling treatments, staircases, and specialist exhibition lighting. This careful attention to detail throughout the interior enhances the visitor journey, bringing the naval narrative to life within an evocative, engaging environment.