No abstract

Traditional museum is typically characterized especially by presenting exhibits. However, it has recently been enriched by many other features that contribute to the attractiveness of exhibitions. Museum spaces nowadays offer various educational events, creative workshops or shops with artefacts and publications. This paper is aimed at presenting partial research results orientated to human-centered design of museums for children. The introductory part describes innovative design tools that focus on multisensory presentation of exhibits, hands-on, color impact, emotion perception etc., as well as possibilities of using the Universal Design as a Learning method to create exhibitions for children with special needs. The main part of the work consists of our team's research aimed at exploring the needs of different children, especially children with various disabilities, in the creation of children's museum space and exhibitions. The first phase of research is focused on the analysis of spatial properties, exhibits and interactions between them. The aim was to discover how those factors influence children's attention and impact on their learning ability. This part of the research was carried out in BIBIANA - International House of Art for Children in Bratislava. The end of the paper indicates further research possibilities that will be explored in the next phase of our research in the future.

Museums are complex architectural works with many distinctive elements. One of the most significant museum features are routes or paths on which visitors circulate museums and perceive exhibitions. Children and people with special needs often have specific demands on physical accessibility of the surrounding environment, chronological arrangement of spaces and amount of information presented at a time. The arrangement of functional units in museum layouts affects wayfinding in space, understanding of the exhibition, as well as visitor guidance. The order in which people visit particular segments in a museum can also be described as one of the most important architectural and operational characteristics of this type of cultural buildings and areas. The article examines ways of arranging spaces in a museum building and the suitability of their application. These forms are evaluated based on various aspects; some of the created effects are studied, e.g. creation of a desired atmosphere. Existing concepts are compared and supplemented with other theoretical knowledge. The article aims to present variant suitable ways of composing routes that would meet the needs of different people, and bring them a quality leisure and educational experience from a museum tour. Various types of museum layout organisation and arrangement of exhibition spaces are illustrated with abstract schemes, as well as with specific case studies of five selected museums. The selection consists of architecturally exceptional and high-quality museums in Central Europe, which are able to attract a whole range of various groups of people including a younger audience. They are examples of both modern museums in this area and route planning options. The case studies highlight interesting local ideas, space concepts, routing methods, and also solutions for increasing inclusion of all visitors and children in particular.

Museums represent an architecturally multifaceted typology. Regardless of their variant focus, their current task is to provide an opportunity for cultural, educational, and exploratory experience for all. The accessibility of the physical environment is important, but so is the accessibility of the perception of the exhibition. This paper deals primarily with spatial and design qualities, which determine the degree of inclusion in museums. The principles of Universal Design (UD) are considered in this regard; therefore, the article reviews means of applying these principles in museums theoretically, and also practically, through on-site evaluation using checklists. Specifically, solutions beneficial for inclusion are examined in an outstanding example, the Graz Museum Schlossberg, which demonstrates many inclusive principles.The aim of the article is to support suitable ways to implement UD in museum architecture with a historical background, one which would meet the needs of the largest possible range of visitors and preserve the historical value of architecture. Beneficial ideas from theory and practice should also be applicable in the future and are commented on in the article.