Interior Accessibility of the Sang Nila Utama Museum in the Framework of Universal Design and Spatial Experience

Parlindungan Ravelino; Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara; Gregorius Prasetyo Adhitama; Prananda Luffiansyah Malasan

doi:10.26593/risa.v9i3.12-21

Authors

Parlindungan Ravelino Doctoral Program in Faculty of Visual Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia; Interior Design Program, Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2519-3550
Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara Faculty of Visual Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1546-0467
Gregorius Prasetyo Adhitama Faculty of Visual Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8000-6354
Prananda Luffiansyah Malasan Faculty of Visual Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2278-7620

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26593/risa.v9i3.12-21

Keywords:

accesibility, inclusive design, museum, spatial experience, universal design

Abstract

Most museums in Indonesia have not fully implemented universal accessibility principles, resulting in spatial experiences that are not yet inclusive for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Sang Nila Utama Museum in Pekanbaru, a type C museum representing Riau Malay culture, illustrates the gap between educational aspirations and the reality of accessibility. This study aims to evaluate the application of Universal Design principles and interpret visitors’ spatial experiences through multisensory and phenomenological perspectives. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed through reflective observation and visual documentation in the field. Accessibility was analyzed using the Seven Principles of Universal Design, while sensory experience was interpreted using a phenomenological framework. The findings show that physical facilities such as ramps, toilets, signage, and circulation paths do not meet minimum accessibility standards. Spatial experience remains predominantly visual, with limited tactile, auditory, and olfactory engagement. These findings highlight a significant gap between accessibility regulations and the actual experiences of visitors in regional museums. Museum inclusivity depends not only on physical access but also on sensory justice and equitable spatial experience. This study offers an integrated model combining Universal Design and multisensory phenomenology as a reference for improving the interior design of regional museums in Indonesia.

Author Biography

Parlindungan Ravelino, Doctoral Program in Faculty of Visual Art and Design, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia; Interior Design Program, Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru, Indonesia

Doctoral student in the Art and Design Program at Institut Teknologi Bandung. His research focuses on inclusive design, accessibility, contemporary museology, and visual culture studies. He is also a lecturer in the Interior Design Program at Universitas Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru. His academic interests include the application of Universal Design, multisensory spatial experience, and the integration of local wisdom in developing inclusive museums in Indonesia.

References

Apritasari, Y. D., Ravelino, P., & Wibowo, F. L. (2025). Multi-Sensorial Architectural Design as a Design Element for the Visually Impaired (A Potential Equity and Universal Design for Diffable). MAJ - Malaysia Architectural Journal, 7(3), 217–230.

Benente, M., & Minucciani, V. (2020). Inclusive Museums: From Physical Accessibility to Cultural Appropriation. In G. Di Bucchianico, C. S. Shin, S. Shim, S. Fukuda, G. Montagna, & C. Carvalho (Eds), Advances in Industrial Design (Vol. 1202, pp. 189–195). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51194-4_25

Clini, P., Nespeca, R., Ferretti, U., Galazzi, F., & Bernacchia, M. (2025). Inclusive Museum Engagement: Multisensory Storytelling of Cagli Warriors’ Journey and the Via Flamina Landscape Through Interactive Tactile Experiences and Digital Replicas. Heritage, 8(2), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8020061

Damayanti, R., Redyantanu, B. P., & Kossak, F. (2021). A Study of Multi-Sensory Senses in Museum Virtual-Visits. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 907(1), 012020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/907/1/012020

Hamraie, A. (2017). Building Access: Universal Design and the Politics of Disability. University of Minnesota Press.

Hooper-Greenhill, E. (2000). Museums and the Interpretation of Visual Culture (Museum Meanings). Routledge.

Huang, H.-Y., & Liem, C. C. S. (2022). Social Inclusion in Curated Contexts: Insights from Museum Practices. 2022 ACM Conference on Fairness Accountability and Transparency, 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1145/3531146.3533095

Indriastjario, I., Naima, S. P., & Wijayanti, W. (2018). Kajian Penerapan Prinsip Desain Universal pada Museum Studi Kasus: Museum Geologi Bandung. Modul, 18(2), 83-89. https://doi.org/10.14710/mdl.18.2.2018.83-89

Jelinčić, D. A., Šveb, M., & E. Stewart, A. (2022). Designing Sensory Museum Experiences for Visitors’ Emotional Responses. Museum Management and Curatorship, 37(5), 513–530. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2021.1954985

Kementerian Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia. (2025). Data Museum—Sistem Registrasi Nasional Museum. Sistem Registrasi Nasional Museum Kemdikbud. https://10.24.26.63/museum

Mace, R. L., Mueller, J. P., & Story, M. (1998). The Principles of Universal Design. The Center for Universal Design. North Carolina State University.

Merleau-Ponty, M., & Smith, C. (2006). Phenomenology of Perception: An Introduction (Repr). Routledge.

Pallasmaa, J. (1996). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses (1st ed.). Wiley.

Sandell, R. (1998). Museums as Agents of Social Inclusion. Museum Management and Curatorship, 17(4), 401–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647779800401704

Vergo, P. (1989). New museology (Vol. 24). Reaktion books.

Wang, X., Yang, M., Li, W., Yuan, L., Ren, Q., Xie, Q., & Liu, R. (2025). Natural Movement: Measuring Optimal Pathway Configuration of Museum Layout And Pedestrian Accessibility Through Visibility Graph Analysis and Intelligent Agent Simulation. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 14(5), 1228–1248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2025.03.001