Níall McLaughlin Architects to design museum in Jordan
International team to create spiritually immersive museum marking Christ’s baptism bicentennial
BETHANY, Jordan (MNTV) — Níall McLaughlin Architects (NMLA) has been selected to lead the design of a new museum at Bethany, Jordan, devoted to the history and spiritual significance of baptism, according to the Foundation for the Development of the Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site.
The decision concludes a six-month international competition organized by Malcolm Reading Consultants and evaluated by a panel of experts in architecture, landscape, museum design, and history.
The museum, scheduled to open in 2030 to coincide with the bimillennial of Christ’s baptism, will guide visitors through an allegorical journey of “wilderness, water, and witness.”
Visitors will descend into an underground garden symbolizing the barren wilderness, encounter a water-filled space representing the Jordan River, and re-emerge into a landscaped paradise garden.
A public square will connect the eastern entrance and western exit, offering views of the Jordan River valley and the pilgrimage path leading to the Baptism Site.
NMLA collaborated with Kim Wilkie Landscape, which designed walled gardens with native plants that gradually integrate the museum into its surroundings, and Nissen Richards Studio, responsible for the exhibition narrative through light, sound, and materials.
Engicon, a local consultant, also contributed to the project. The design incorporates rammed earth techniques and locally sourced stone, reflecting Jordanian vernacular architecture and demonstrating sensitivity to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site.
“The challenge was to mediate between a sacred landscape and its spiritual narratives,” said Níall McLaughlin, principal of NMLA, alongside Kim Wilkie and Pippa Nissen of Nissen Richards Studios.
“The project needed to use local labor, skills, and resources to achieve social responsibility and low carbon impact, while allowing architecture to work allegorically.”
Dr Tharwat Almasalha, Chair of the Advisory Panel and Foundation board, praised the winning design for highlighting baptism’s spiritual renewal and universal significance.
He added, “This museum will inspire Jordanian citizens, pilgrims, and global visitors alike, serving as a model of cultural and spiritual engagement.”
The museum is part of the broader Baptism Development Zone (BDZ) and is expected to host 400,000 to 450,000 visitors annually.
The Foundation will work closely with NMLA, UNESCO, and local communities to refine the design and ensure alignment with international impact and sustainability standards.
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