Reel
Tibet House Museum in Delhi was established as a cultural refuge during a moment of displacement, when Tibetan communities in exile sought to preserve their art, philosophy, and collective memory outside their homeland. Conceived not merely as a museum but as an archive of living culture, the building has evolved over time into an institutional space for learning, preservation, and dialogue. This dual role of sheltering fragile cultural artifacts while remaining open to the public forms the foundation of the facade intervention. (Fig. on left: PLA marching into Kangding, 1950)
Tibetan art at Tibet House such as thangkas, manuscripts, and ritual objects is inherently fragile and traditionally revealed gradually, with protection valued as much as visibility. This sensitivity to light is echoed in the 1974 Brutalist building, which uses mostly closed east and west façades to minimize direct sunlight. The proposed façade builds on this intent by adding a secondary skin that protects rather than alters the structure. Through perforations, depth, and a cultural color gradient, the new layer acts as a subtle light filter while remaining respectful of the original massing. (Fig. Teacher (Lama), Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton, 1800–1899)
Renders (via Google Gemini)
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Animation (via Google Gemini)