Transitional justice and cultural interpretation in public architecture: a case study of the museum of the occupation of Latvia

This article examines how architectural interpretation responds to transitional justice for dishonorable public architecture through the case study of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. The transformation and reshaping of dishonorable monuments is occurring in many democratic countries. But how can we approach the meaning behind these renovation designs? This study proposes a comprehensive analytical framework based on three dimensions: narrative, image, and context, to reveal the hidden meanings of architectural design. The findings suggest an integral understanding of the museum’s transition process and contribute to broader discussions on how architectural interpretation shapes national identity and reflects societal values.