It is the first private museum in India covering 100,000 square meters. The opening is planned for 2026. Here is the project signed by David Adjaye
Founded in 2010 by an influential Indian collector Kiran Nadar, which has since amassed a large collection from over 10,000 works modern and contemporary art from all over India and the subcontinent Kiran Nadar Art Museum It is India’s first private modern and contemporary art museum currently split between New Delhi and Noida. From 2026, the new uniform headquarters will be located there Delhi, whose grandiose project was presented at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Covering an area of 100,000 square meters, it will be India’s largest cultural center. As the philanthropist himself explained, the new KNMA will bring together visual arts, music, dance and theater under one roof: “As the collection grew, I felt we needed an autonomous space. We want to make it a cultural destination. My hope is that art and culture will nourish each other; We want a welcoming and inclusive facility where people from different walks of life can enjoy a day of culture.”. The new structure will rise near the international airport. The philosophy that inspired the creation of the museum is to preserve the treasures of the cultural past, make them accessible to the community and educate a young generation of professionals and creative people. At the same time, the gap between art and the public is bridged.
THE KIRAN NADAR MUSEUM OF ART. THE PROJECT
The museum was designed by Adjaye Associates, the company David Adjayea Ghana-born British architect who described the structure as a cluster of pavilions connected along a circular line. “It is a group of buildings surrounding the courtyard areas. I think this is a response to India’s incredible heritage in terms of climate management and cultural richness.”. Speaking of local culture, the facade features repeated triangles, indicating the deep symbolic value of this geometric figure for both Hindus and Muslims. According to Adjaye, among the structures that partly inspired this project is the architect-designed Kimbell Art Museum in Texas Louis Khana building known for its manipulation of natural light. The new KNMA includes permanent and temporary exhibition spaces to showcase over 10,000 modern and contemporary artworks from the collection, as well as performance spaces for music, performance art and theatre. As Adjaye himself commented: “Its location in Delhi, one of the oldest cities in the world with a residential tradition dating back to the 6th century BC. Dating back to the 5th century BC, strengthens the cultural position of the Kiran Museum and directly influences the design of the new building“. Among the various projects Adjaye has signed around the world include the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (2007) and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture (2017).
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Nicocolo Lucarelli