Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), formerly the Prince of Wales Museum, is one of India’s most significant cultural institutions. Located within Mumbai’s historic port precinct at the southern tip of the city, the museum was designed by the British architect George Wittet and opened in 1914. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture reflects the layered cultural and historical identity of Mumbai as a global city.

Planning for the future
To coincide with the museum’s centenary, John McAslan & Partners was invited to prepare a masterplan to guide the future development of the institution. The masterplan responds to the evolving role of the contemporary museum, addressing the need for additional exhibition space, enhanced educational facilities and improved visitor experience, while safeguarding the building’s architectural and cultural significance.

At its heart is a proposal for a new museum wing, providing flexible gallery spaces alongside education, research and public programmes, and enabling CSMVS to engage a wider audience. The new wing is envisioned as a complementary intervention, carefully integrated within the wider museum campus and landscape, and designed to sit in dialogue with the historic structure rather than compete with it.

Architecture and cultural dialogue
The masterplan is underpinned by an approach to architecture rooted in cultural engagement and contextual sensitivity. By establishing a clear spatial and strategic framework for growth, it supports CSMVS’ ambition to remain a vital presence within Mumbai, ensuring its continued relevance for future generations.