Kuala Lumpur Festival Museum

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia is a city known for its rich cultural diversity, but during festive seasons, many locals leave for their hometowns, making the city feel empty. At the same time, cultural festivals in the city are often simplified for tourists, turning them into commodities and commercialized rather than meaningful traditions. This makes it difficult for visitors to truly understand and experience Malaysia’s unique cultural celebrations. This project explores the idea of a Festival Museum—a permanent space where Malaysia’s traditional festivals can be celebrated and showcased during their respective festive seasons. The museum aims to address some of the issues by suggesting solutions, such as the shallow understanding cultural events, the high costs of hosting frequent festivals, and the challenge of sustainably host repeated events without creating a large carbon footprint. By studying how cultural festivals affect urban tourism, analyzing how these events are usually organized, and exploring ways to create immersive experiences, this project will propose a design that helps visitors engage with Malaysia’s cultural heritage in a more meaningful way. The Kuala Lumpur Festival Museum will help in promoting Malaysia’s traditional festivals and increase accessibility to both tourists and locals, as the urban landscape continues to transform.