Bukhara, Uzbekistan, long celebrated as a Silk Road crossroads, is a city where layers of history rise in brick and tile. Its mosques, madrasas, and caravanserais testify to centuries of scholarship, trade, and strife. At the dawn of the 20th century, this city of tradition became a cradle for reform as the Jadid movement pressed for new schools, cultural renewal, and social change. Among its leaders was Usmon Khodjaev, the reformer-turned-statesman who became the first president of the Bukhara People’s Republic. Now, his former residence is set to house the Jadids’ Legacy Museum, designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh and commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), bringing the city’s reformist past into dialogue with its future.
Set to open in 2027, the museum project honors the Jadid Movement, a group of intellectuals and educators who advocated for progress and enlightenment in Central Asia. Their efforts to introduce modern schools, promote literature, and encourage women’s education were met with both acclaim and repression. Many Jadids, Including Khodjaeve himself, were persecuted under Soviet rule. By situating the museum in his historic residence, the project sets to anchor stories of reform in the context of the city.
For Ghotmeh, the commission resonates deeply with her architectural philosophy. The Lebanese-born architect is known for what she calls an “archaeology of the future,” a practice of designing contemporary buildings that excavate and respond to the layers of history embedded in their sites.
“Working on this museum is an honour, as it aligns with my fascination for history and heritage and my constant search for meaningful inspiration to shape the architecture of tomorrow.” Ghotmeh said
In Bukhara, Ghotmeh’s design is expected to weave together tradition and modernity. Though the architectural details haven’t been revealed, the museum will draw on Uzbekistan’s rich craftsmanship. Early renderings show echoes of the city’s ornamental tilework and geometric precision, while opening the house into a space that suits the modern needs of a museum.
The Jadids’ Legacy Museum is attempting to embody a dual role: as a monument to a generation of thinkers who sought to reimagine society, and as a contemporary landmark reinvigorating one of Central Asia’s most historic cities.
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