Gustavianum exhibition design and color curation

Gustavianum, Uppsala University’s oldest building from 1622, has reopened as a museum—as part of an extensive restoration that brings new life to both architecture and content.

Colour and spatial identity play a central role in the transformation. The design concept is built around the idea of “miniature stories,” where each exhibition room is given its own mood and narrative. Moving through the building becomes a layered experience, as visitors shift between worlds of knowledge, all rooted in the university’s broad and ongoing research.

One of the major exhibitions explores ancient cultures along the Nile and around the Mediterranean. Inspired by the architecture of early settlements, the exhibition design is structured around simple, block-like forms that guide visitors through two historical timelines. Carefully selected colours mark out key artefacts, using backdrops and podiums to focus attention and support the storytelling. The result is a calm, precise environment where objects take centre stage—and where design quietly amplifies the museum’s role as a place for learning, discovery, and reflection.