Client: Hindustan Machine Tools Limited, Bangalore | 2017 - 2019
Role: Design Lead (Design research, Space Planning, Zoning, Navigation, Visual Language)
Role: Design Lead (Design research, Space Planning, Zoning, Navigation, Visual Language)
A space that celebrates the iconic HMT watches from the beloved Pilot watch to the innovative braille watches. Allowing the visitors to explore the space that encompasses everything HMT.
The Challenge:
Keeping the history of HMT alive and showcasing its wide
product range over 65 years in a museum.
product range over 65 years in a museum.
The Outcome:
A one-of-a-kind museum designed using sustainable and
repurposed materials.
repurposed materials.
With the closure of HMT factories in 2016, the company decided to keep its legacy alive in the form of a museum. This museum space takes the visitor through the journey of the company since its inception in 1953. A pioneering Indian company to manufacture machine tools in post-independent India, HMT quickly diversified into watches, lamps, tractors, and more with a spirit of innovation and collaboration.
Taking the user back to the nostalgia of the late 1970s the exhibits aim to educate and inspire people as they witness the transformation of engineering over the decades.
Target Audience
Educational Institutes: School and engineering students. Age group: 7 - 21 years.
Resident Market: 40,000+ HMT employees pan India. Age group: 35 - 60+ years.
Tourism: India’s only museum displaying the history of Indian watchmaking.
Resident Market: 40,000+ HMT employees pan India. Age group: 35 - 60+ years.
Tourism: India’s only museum displaying the history of Indian watchmaking.
Featured
Zoning & Navigation
Site: Located in a 4.5 acre lush land within the HMT colony, the area is retained as constructed in the early 1970s. Multidirectional navigation encourages the visitors to explore the space to find machinery and tractor exhibits in the open lawns around a centrally located museum building that houses the other machinery and watches exhibits.
Museum Building: Built-in 1973, this 4,000 sqft bungalow was retained with minimal alterations. Given the compact space with this residential structure, unidirectional navigation worked best. The ground floor welcomes visitors with the vibrant history of HMT, HMT watches and takes them on a journey to explore the intricacy of watchmaking to the inner workings of machines and tractors on the first floor.
Museum Theme
Inspired by HMT's Glory time spanning from the 1960s to the 2000s a unique theme 'Vintage Industrial' was developed. Capturing memorable glimpses from HMT's quintessential design language across its factories, architecture, products & prints.
Due to budget restrictions, most of the display units were created by repurposing wooden benches, metal frames, stone cladding, industrial lighting, and spare metal parts.
Due to budget restrictions, most of the display units were created by repurposing wooden benches, metal frames, stone cladding, industrial lighting, and spare metal parts.
Site Images
