Lina Ghotmeh to transform historic Bukhara residence into Jadids’ Legacy Museum

Internationally acclaimed architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to reimagine a 19th-century scholar’s home in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, into the Jadids’ Legacy Museum — a new cultural landmark honouring the reformist Jadid movement that shaped Central Asia’s intellectual and social progress.

Commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), the project represents Ghotmeh’s first work in Central Asia and is scheduled to open in 2027. The museum will occupy the historic residence of Usmon Khodjaev, the first president of the Bukharan People’s Republic and a leading Jadid reformer who championed modern education and social inclusion.

Blending restoration with contemporary design, Ghotmeh’s vision reflects her “Archaeology of the Future” philosophy — an approach that fuses history, place, and material integrity to craft architecture rooted in memory yet oriented toward the future. The project also aligns with Uzbekistan’s growing investment in cultural infrastructure, joining initiatives such as Tadao Ando’s National Museum of Uzbekistan and the revitalised Center for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent.

Ghotmeh described the museum as an opportunity to “elevate history into contemporary life,” drawing inspiration from the Jadids’ belief in education, equality, and transformation. Her collaboration with local artisans aims to balance authenticity and innovation while reinforcing Bukhara’s legacy as a regional centre of learning.

Supported by ACDF chairperson Gayane Umerova, the museum underscores Uzbekistan’s strategy to link heritage preservation with global cultural engagement.

Explore how the Jadids’ Legacy Museum is redefining heritage architecture in Central Asia. Full article available here.