WHERE THE EMPEROR RESTS
HUMAYUN WORLD HERITAGE SITE MUSEUM, NEW DELHI
CLIENT
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture
DOMAIN
National Heritage Museum
SCOPE OF WORK
Creative Consultancy, Museography, Identity
Museum Display Design, Exhibition Design
Information Design, Graphic Design, Design of special panels
December had a distinct privelege of collaborating with the Aga Khan Trust on a landmark project : designing a unique museum experience in the heart of New Delhi. We were entrusted with crafting its entire visual narrative, from identity to museography, exhibition experience to graphic design. A truly singular cultural experience.The Humayun World Heritage Site Museum focuses on seven centuries of pluralistic cultural traditions, art and architectural history of the Nizamuddin area in a meaningful, elegant and engaging manner, appealing to a cross section of visitors, from school children to tourists from all over the world. The museum aims to provide a better understanding of Mughal architecture, its associated building craft traditions, and the development of the Nizamuddin area’s pluralist cultural traditions, which defined Hindustani culture for at least five centuries.
The studio was engaged in the museographic planning of the Humayun World Heritage Site Museum in New Delhi, a project that demanded sensitivity to both historical context and spatial experience. Set within a dramatic, high-ceilinged space, the museum features a striking architectural language defined by tall black metal structures. These vertical forms became the framework around which we developed the interpretive layout—serving dual functions as display surfaces for information and enclosures for precious artefacts.
Our intervention focused on shaping the spatial narrative through careful planning of layout and circulation. The goal was to create a visitor journey that unfolds intuitively, allowing the architecture and exhibits to work in harmony. We used these imposing vertical structures to choreograph movement, frame sightlines, and create pauses for contemplation. These structures provided rhythm and order, while also offering flexibility for curatorial storytelling.
In collaboration with the curatorial and structural teams, we ensured that each segment of the museum could communicate its narrative effectively without overwhelming the visitor. The result is a layered experience—one where movement, material, and meaning are seamlessly interwoven. Our role was to make history not only visible but experientially engaging, guiding visitors through a rich, immersive exploration of Humayun’s world.
Marrying visual design to spatial design for this World Heritage Site Museum project, our intervention was deeply intertwined with the architectural language of the space—particularly the tall, black powder-coated metal structures that defined the museum’s visual and spatial identity. These towering forms referred to as 'totems', unprecedented in scale and application within the Indian museum space, presented both a compelling canvas and a unique design challenge.
Working with a black substrate pushed us to rethink conventional approaches to museum graphics. Printing full-colour imagery on such a surface demanded extensive material testing and innovation in print techniques. We developed a visual language that balanced vibrancy with legibility—using high-contrast palettes, metallic inks, and layered treatments to ensure that visuals remained crisp and engaging under variable lighting conditions.
A core element of our design process involved drawing inspiration from the architecture of Humayun’s Tomb and the intricate details of Mughal miniature paintings. These historic motifs informed our patterns, borders, and visual compositions—allowing us to infuse the exhibition with a sense of cultural continuity while maintaining a contemporary tone. The result was a unique and vibrant visual identity that resonated with the historical depth of the site.
Beyond aesthetics, our focus was on clarity and hierarchy. Typography, iconography, and visual storytelling were meticulously designed to guide visitors through complex historical narratives without visual fatigue. The metal structures allowed us to create modular, immersive panels that felt integrated rather than imposed—enhancing rather than competing with the artefacts.
Our approach helped transform the structures into more than display frameworks—they became communicative surfaces, carrying forward the museum’s stories in a format that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in craft and innovation.
