Museu Afro: preservando memórias

Abstract

Brazil is the country with the largest Black population outside the African continent. According to the 2022 Demographic Census, the country is becoming progressively more Black, with an increase in the Black and mixed-race populations and a decrease in the white population in absolute numbers compared to the 2010 Census. Despite this, a significant portion of this population still lacks knowledge about their history, culture, and origins, highlighting the importance of educational and cultural initiatives aimed at rescuing this heritage.In this context, Laws nº 10.639/2003 and nº 11.645/2008, which mandate the teaching of Afro- Brazilian and Indigenous history and culture in public and private educational institutions, face significant challenges in their effective implementation. It is within this scenario that the Afro Museum emerges as an essential agent, challenging Eurocentric historical narratives and promoting a more inclusive and equitable view of Brazilian history.These spaces play a fundamental role in preserving memories, strengthening community empowerment, and promoting anti-racist education. Inspired by Josep Maria Montaner’s methodology for 21st-century museums, I adopted the second typology, “The Evolution of the Box,” as the foundation for developing the exhibition building. The project is based on an open and flexible floor plan, maximum accessibility, and pure yet symbolically expressive forms.The architectural design combines simple and striking forms with materiality that engages in dialogue with vernacular architecture, incorporating contemporary techniques. This approach seeks to balance tradition and innovation, translating the cultural richness the museum aims to preserve and disseminate.