Relax Like 100 Years Ago: Redefining museum’s experience for young families

The goal of this project was to innovate the experience at the open-air Museum of Folk Architecture, to attract more visitors, improve tourism, and the financial situation in Bardejov, one of the least developed districts in Slovakia. It relies heavily on collaboration with the museum employees and visitors through co-
design practices.

By following the meaning-making radical innovation approach, we understood that one of the main meanings of the museum, nostalgia, is disappearing. Today, only the oldest visitors have had a personal experience with the wooden buildings in their lives, which might explain why younger generations lose interest in coming for a visit. The decision was made to focus on young families with preadolescent children (age 9-12). Through research, we chose relaxation as the most suitable new meaning the museum could offer them.

The final concept allows visitors to learn about history through some of the world's most relaxing activities- reading and mindfulness (being aware of the present moment through senses). First, visitors can read a story from a booklet comfortably while lying on hay. Afterwards, they can immerse themselves in the story by exploring places and trying activities it mentions. Each activity focuses on one sense, fostering mindfulness. The concept was implemented with a story talking about the fight between the traditional village and Jano, who earned money in the US and returned home to live a modern life. It depicts what the reality was for hundreds of people from this region around the year 1900. The plot also encourages visitors to accept change and keep traditions at the same time. Building on local history, it provides a reflection on today's age through relaxation.

The deliverables of the project are the strategy to focus on relaxation, the concept combining reading and mindfulness, and the specific implementation through a story about Jano. This version of the implementation should be available in the museum from the summer of 2026.

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