Sierra Leone Peace Museum

The Sierra Leone Peace Museum commemorates this nation’s brutal 1991-2002 civil war. Located at the former Special Court for Sierra Leone facility, this site of conscience is the first of its kind in the nation and Western Africa. The museum’s first exhibition introduces the story, focusing on highlighting war-related artifacts, the peace building process, and the role of the Special Court and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Phase II and III master planning work is complete and await funding support.

The opening of the museum coincided with the closure of the Special Court for Sierra Leone – a hybrid court of the United Nations and Sierra Leone charged with bringing to justice those individuals bearing the greatest responsibility for the war.

Studio Tectonic provided master planning, feasibility analysis, operational guidance, and this 440 square foot Phase I implementation. This exhibit was built entirely in-country over the course of ten intense working days, requiring extensive Studio Tectonic training of craftspeople and hands-on supervision, as well as flexibility in approach, materials and exhibiting strategies. Great attention was required in design in order to complete the exhibition with time, skills and local resources. Advance preparation of graphics styles allowed for Studio Tectonic to arrive in-country and begin full panel content development, research, writing and graphics over the course of two days. Exhibition cases/displays and overall space planning was developed over the same period of time.

Initial project planning support was provided by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.