INDEX

Introduction

Purpose of building

Location

Site Analysis

Planning concept

Provision

Services

Extra facilities

About museum

conclusion

Bibliography

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Amongst the wide panorama of the people who provided us inspiring
guidance & encouragement. I wish to take an opportunity to thank those
who gave me indebted assistance & constant encouragement for completing
this Case study.
I am also very thankful to our Principal Prof. P.S. Borade & Prof. V. N.
Tawde H.O.D. of Architecture Department, for their cooperation and moral
support for the completion of this Case study.
Last but not least, this acknowledgement could not be considered unless I
record my gratitude to those who have been directly or indirectly helping me
in completing my Case study.
Finally very special thanks to My Parents.

Vikram Balekar (4903)

Introduction

The National Museum, New Delhi as we see it today in the majestic

building on the corner of Janpath and Maulana Azad Road is the prime
museum in the country. The blue-print for establishing the National
Museum in Delhi had been prepared by the Gwyer Committee set up by
the Government of India in 1946. When an Exhibition of Indian Art
consisting of selected artefacts from various museums of India, sponsored
by the Royal Academy (London) with the co-operation of the Government
of India and Britain, was on display in the galleries of Burlington House,
London during the winter months of 1947-48, it was decided to display
the same collection under a single roof in Delhi before the return of
exhibits to their respective museums.
Accordingly, the exibition was held in the state rooms of the
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi in 1949, and it turned out to be a great
success. In turn, the event proved responsible for the creation of National
Museum. On the auspicious day of the 15th August, 1949, the National
Museum was formally inaugurated by the Governor-General of India, Shri
R.C. Rajagopalachari, and it was announced that till a permanent building
for housing the National Musuem was constructed, the Museum would
continue to function in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The Government also felt
to retain the exhibits on show to form the holdings of the National
Museum and the plan was sent to all the participants of London
exhibition.

It continued to be looked after well by the Director General of

Archaeology until the Ministry of Education, the Government of India
declared it a separate institution to grow in its collections that were
sought painstakingly. It received several gifts but artifacts were collected
mainly through its Art Purchase Committee. In the meanwhile, the
foundation of the present building was laid by Pt. J.L. Nehru, Prime
Minister of India, in the 12th May, 1955 and the new building where works
of art were displayed elegantly on scientific lines, was handed over to
Museum authorities in June, 1960.
The Museum was formally thrown open to the public on December
18, 1960. And it is now within the administrative control and fully
financed by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource
Development, Government of India.
The Museum has in its possession approximately 2, 00,000 works of
exquisite art of diverse nature, both Indian and foreign and its holdings
cover a time span of more than five thousand years of our cultural
heritage. While the splendid chronological display of selected art objects
in the various galleries, screening of educational films related to art and
culture, guided tours, gallery talks by the experts, special lectures and
training programmes, facilities for photography and access to the reserve
collection and library for the study, and advice on identification of art
objects have brought immense laurels to the Museum. The conservation
laboratory had made its existence felt even in other countries.

Location of SiteAs National Museum is one of the important tourist point in

New Delhi it is situated on Jan path which is one of the major
street in New Delhi. Jan path is one of the road cutting Raj path
and at the corner national museum is situated.
National museum is about just walking distance from India
gate. We might say that it is in the centre of India gate and
Rashtrapati Bhawan. On the left side of building office of
Archeological survey of India is situated and on the right side on
the other corner Indira Gandhi National Centre of Art is situated
5 km from Can naught circle one of the major market in New
Delhi and 6 km from New Delhi Railway Station.
So from tourism point of view the location of the building is
such that one can easily reach to it and also Delhi Transport
corporation buses are available from all the corner of Delhi city.

Site analysis

Site is rectangular in shape. The building is centrally located in

the site, On the left side of the building Ratha of ancient world
which is made of wood is present. It is placed in the glass house
having fiber sheets sloping roof. Also cloak room present on left
side which is attached to the main building. Cloak room entry is
given from outside as visitors luggage is deposited and than they
can enter in the main building. Security point of view entry of cloak
room is given from outside.
In front of this Ratha Water cooler for Visitors. Viewers parking is
present on same side which having capacity of 20 cars and 50 two
wheeler. This parking is sheltered by fiber sheets.
On the other side that is on the right side of the building parking
for staff and also for Security guards parking. It is having capacity
of 5 cars and 20 two wheelers. On the back side of building cycle
parking for carpenters and other workers is provided.
So the parking area is sufficient and separately provided for
buildings requirement.
Landscape created in front of building with some monuments
and sculpture in back ground helps to create good environment
which suits the museum.

(Front side of museum with some sculpture and

landscape)
Sculptures are placed front side gives good look and helps to
create environment in building.
Two gates for building for entry and exit on the front side. Also
boundary wall with railings having good height for security purpose.
This gate and boundary wall is lavish and proportionate to the building
height.
As this building is nation pride security of the building is one of
the major factor so security cabins are present near the both gates
and also in all corners of the building. These cabins are created from
simple wooden frame and fiber sheets so these are not permanent
cabins.

 Main building
The building is having basement+3 floors. The building is
constructed in III phases. First two phases are completed in all
respect and working successfully. Phase III is not completed yet
but construction is started and basement floor is completed on
5th of April.
Phase I
Entrance hall, Auditorium, Galleries, Office, Air Conditioning
plant room, Blower room, Ticket counter, Atrium, Laboratory,
Electrical sub-station, Carpenter workshop Stores etc.
Phase IIGalleries, Security cabin, Security Dormitory, store room,
Strong room, Display areas, Security rooms, Workshop, Packing
room, Punching room, Security cycle parking etc.
Phase IIIStack room, Book store room, reading room, Class rooms for
students, seminar rooms Dormitory, Caf area, Electrical substation, Book gallery, Display section, Student room, Assistant
Directors office, Conservation Laboratory etc.

(Museum Caf)

(Corner side elevation of National Museum)

Ground Floor Plan :

1.
2.
3.
4.

Entrance Hall
Library
Auditorium
Pre-History and Indus Valley

civilization
5. Maurya,Sanga and Satvahana Art
6. Kushan Art
7. Gupta Art
8. Gupta Terracotta and early Medieval
Art
9. Bronzes
10. Late Medieval Art
11. Buddhist Art
12. Tantra Art
13. Transparencies of Indian Scripts
and Coins
14. Decorative Art-II
15. Decorative Art-I
16. Jewellery

First Floor Plan :

1. Special Exhibitions
2. Manuscripts
3. Indian Miniatures
4. Central Asian Antiquities-II
5. Central Asian Antiquities-I
6. Tribal Art
7. Thanjavur Paintings
8. Maritime Heritage
9. National Museum Institute
10. N.M.I. and D.Gs Office
11. Ajanta Paintings

Second Floor Plan :

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Decorative Arts and Textiles

Pre-Columbian and Western Art
Decorative Arts and Textiles
Coins and Copper Plates
Arms and Armour
Wood Carving - I
Wood Carving - I
Musical Instruments
Anthropology

Basement floor
Phase I
Air Condition plant room
Electrical Sub-station
Blower room
Store
Carpenter Workshop
Phase II
Strong room
Publication
Packing room
Security Staff dormitory
Punching room
Store
Security cycle parking
Phase III
Stack room
Stores
Air Condition plant room
C P W D Enquiry Office
Book Stores

Ground Floor

Phase I
Entrance / Atrium
Ticket counter
Auditorium
Library
Cloak room
Galleries
Phase II
Galleries (purpose)
Display area (purpose)
Security room
Phase III
2nd entrance to museum
Lounge
Display section
Galleries book information
Reading room
Caf area + Kitchen + Stores
Electrical Sub-Station

First FloorPhase I

Office area
Galleries
Phase II
Museum Shop
Galleries
Display area
Security room
Phase III
Conference Room
3 Galleries
Dormitories
Seminar rooms
2 cubical

Second Floor

Phase I
Office area
Galleries
Phase II
Museum Shop
Galleries
Display area
Security room
Phase III
Class room
Asstt. Director Office
Students Room
DGs Office
Conservation Laboratory
Seminar Room

Entrance / Atrium
Entrance of the building is lavish and its atrium having 3 floor
height and over it concrete dome is given. In atrium some sculptures

are well arrange with the support of column. Because of atrium there
is sufficient light in the entrance foyer.

(ENTRACE ATRIUM)
Ticket counter
It is not far away from entrance lobby. Its enough big and also
having some display items and also books for general information
about museum. Office section is just near the ticket counter and one
can easily reach to the office. On the left side Ladies toilet is provided

for office section. Seating arrangement for viewers and guest is

provided on both corners of the wall .From Left side of ticket counter
small lobby is given from where display area is started.

(Ticket counter from entrance with sculpture arranged with help of

column)
AuditoriumAuditorium is on the right side to the entrance foyer and easily
accessible so it is used dual purpose. It is used for some small
functions for that stage is created in front of screen and other purpose
is that small clips, information movies, programs are shown on the
screen.

Auditorium also having small balcony of 50 peoples capacity

and on the left side of hall the staircase is given to go for balcony.
Balcony is having very less capacity because projector room is coming
between the balcony so balcony is divided in 2 parts. on each side 25
person seating is provided.
2M wide passage is left for going to auditorium this same
passage go for balcony staircase. Capacity of auditorium is about 150
peoples. Seating arrangement is divided in 2 parts. Auditorium is
designed in old fashion but very well planed.
LibraryLibrary is on the left side from entrance foyer. It is having about
50,000 and more books. Book shelves are arranged in parallel to the
rooms length. Window in front side helps for good ventilation and light
in library. Library is having good reading rooms attached. Library is
having double height and small gallery in first floor.
The National Museum has a wide Reference Library which is
equipped with variety of books, Periodicals, Journals etc.
Cloak roomCloak room is attached to library. It is very small room in
comparison to museum. Cloak room entry is given from outside as
visitors luggage is deposited and than they can enter in the main
building. Security point of view entry of cloak room is given from
outside.

GalleriesAfter small lobby having display area galleries are started.

Galleries are having tremendous importants in museum because of
this the arrangement of galleries is in one periphery. Some space is left
between the galleries which are open to sky which helps for
ventilation.

Galleries windows are less and some where not used. Light in the
galleries are having very much important. Focused light are used to
focused on the monument, ornaments, sculpture, cloths, black and
white and color pictures , paintings, photographs, monuments, written
matters, etc. These focused lights are arranged in ceiling or in the wall
itself over the monument and sculpture. These lights somewhere
arranged in cross manner.

(Focused Lights arranged in galleries )

Ceiling light are provided in all galleries. Tube light and general
lights are tried to avoid. Fall ceiling done is very simple and sober. And
light are arranged in good manner and with good spacing also relating
with the space which used to be focused is considered.
Column in the museum galleries are used very brilliantly as they
are used for display matter or some written matter. They are used for

giving back ground or support to the monument or sculpture etc. Also

they are used to separate some area in showcases, frames etc. And
some times these columns are used from all sided as sculptures are
fixed directly on it with the help of correct adhesive.
Some Times columns are created specially from plaster of Paris
or Teak wood to place monuments and sculpture.
Partitions and display area in galleries are created with the help
of Plaster of Paris and wooden partitions and half brick thick wall.
Platform is created for display of monuments and sculpture. These
platforms are having different heights as per the monument or
sculpture. For display purpose niches in the wall are created and also
covered with the glass frame.

(Columns used for showcase partition in the

galleries)

(All galleries are fully air conditioned and platforms

are created for showcases and for sculpture)
All galleries are fully air conditioned. For that small ducts are
provided which directly come go to basement Air Conditioning plant
room. Split AC is provided in all galleries. Seating arrangement in
the galleries is well arranged. Seating arrangement for 5 viewers is
provided in all galleries. It is generally between the two columns or in
the corner space. From seating arrangement position viewer can get
the whole look of gallery. In some cases where screen, clips show etc is
provided there seating arrangement for 10 people is given. Flooring

in all galleries is different. In some places mosaic floorings, wooden

flooring, marble flooring, marble mosaic flooring etc. provided. It
depends on the environment of the gallery. All galleries are having
different environment. Like example in twelve gallery on ground
floor display of mughal period paintings is done with the help of
mughal arches created from wood and wooden flooring etc.

This create good environment for viewers. Also lighting

arrangement is different. Some Chandeliers are provided
which belongs to mughal period.
In museum glass frames, wooden frames show cases are
placed in regular intervals. In some cases these frames,
showcases are fixed to the wall, column, and platforms. Some
cases they are directly fixed to the flooring with the help of
joints.

Security room
For security persons small security rooms and also
for sweepers and other materials small store rooms are
provided.

Courtyard and CorridorCourtyard is circular in shape and in the middle of all galleries.
Corridor of two m wide is along the periphery of this courtyard. There are 4
entries from corridor to courtyard. Courtyard is well landscaped with help of
small lawn, shrubs and other small plants. Also there is a fountain in the
centre of the courtyard. Some sculptures and monuments are placed on a
plat form gives nice look to the courtyard.
Because of this big courtyard in the centre the problem of light and
ventilation in corridors and staircases is solved. Aluminium framed window is

used in corridors in which all glass fixed accept middle one which is pivoted
type.

(View of courtyard which Is with fountain in the centre)

A corridor of second floor is having less ventilation and light because
windows from courtyard side are absent. Only small ventilators are provided.
So second floor corridor is fully air conditioned and ceiling light, tube lights
are used.
Seating arrangementIn corridors seating arrangement is provided in front side of
staircase or where staircase ends. And also at the window side between the
column seating arrangements is provided.
Open well staircase is used in this building which is very easily accessible
and on 3 corners of the building. The width of the steps is bout 2 meter.
Small space is extended on staircase side which minimizes the open well and

seating arrangement is provided there. As it becomes one of the point where

one can take rest or sit for a while or can used as a break or wait for some
time.
ToiletsToilets are placed on different level. It is provided when first flight of
open well staircase completed. Door of toilet is on first landing. After
entering level of toilet is some step down. In this way clean and healthy
atmosphere in corridors is maintained.
In gents toilet 2 water closets and 3 urinals and 2 wash basin is
provided.And in ladies toilet 3 water closet and 3 wash basins are provided.
And according to standard and the crowd its enough.

(Toilets entry from first landing of staircase)

(Seating arrangement provided near f staircase)

Museum shopThe corridor in the middle is discontinued on first floor as the
museum shop is provided in the middle of corridor and in front of gallery
number six. Its a small shop which is not permanent as the position or
location of shop will change after completion of III phase and it will be shift
on ground floor.
In this small monument, ornaments, sculpture, cloths, black and white
and color pictures etc. are displayed which are for sale. Because of big
windows and also courtyard in the middle the light and ventilation is good
inside the shop. So shop is also used for some displays.

Shop is separated from the corridor with the help of wooden partition
wall. Wooden frame is fixed to the wall and in wooden frame glass is fixed
look descent and also gives a good view from corridors.
Museum CafOn second floor canteen is provide which is over the museum shop
and in front of gallery number nine. Its not permanent the actual position
proposed is on the ground floor and in III phase which is still not complete.
The position of the Existing caf is nice as the view getting from caf of
landscape courtyard is nice.
But big windows are avoided and small ventilators are provided. Museum
Caf is totally air conditioned and kitchen and cash counter is on left side
and Gallery number nine space is used for it. Caf is separated from corridor
with the help of aluminum glazed partition.
The Conversation Laboratory
The Conversation Laboratory of the National Museum since
its inception has made great strides and today it is one of the
best laboratory is in the field of conservation and restoration of
the art objects. Initially, its main task was to look after the huge
collection of National Museum against all kinds of deterioration.
Today, the laboratory is not only well equipped with various
sophisticated appliances, but also manned by the experts to
carry out a variety of programmes for an overall development of
our cultural heritage. Besides keeping the vast and varied

collection in good state of preservation as per International

Standards, it is also serving other institutions, Raj Bhavans and
other public agencies in identification, examination and actual
restoration of oil paintings and other art works.

ModelingThis unit has been casting beautiful replicas of the select

masterpieces housed in the museum with dedication. Produced in
the scale sizes and original colors as well as in scale models, it rolls
out 64 replicas covering a period from Indus Valley Civilization to
12th century A.D. All of these are in great demand among the
visitors due to their high quality of production and superb finishing.
The small team of 13 artists headed by two Chief Modelers has been
recreating these wonderful creations over the years.
Since these are highly popular and sought after by various
educational and cultural institutions, universities for academic
purpose as well as by government offices and cultural delegates of
national and international agencies, VIPs and Ministers etc. for
decoration, the demand can hardly by fulfill. Also, besides imparting
practical training to the foreigners, it has done a commendable job
by training hundreds of personnel working in different museums of
the country.
Exhibition Cell-

Exhibition Cell, This section of National Museum organizes

International and National Exhibitions in India and Abroad.

Photography
The photography unit is well equipped to prepare black and white
and

color pictures

of the art objects.

It has already photo

documented almost the entire collection of National Museum and

has its own storage and laboratory for processing black and white
prints.

Training, workshop and seminar :

The laboratory has organized a number of training programmes
for the students, curators and conservators. Also, it has been
arranging workshops and seminars at various places where ways
and means for conserving the vast cultural heritage of country are
discussed.

Public RelationFor maintaining the public relations with a large variety of visitors,
the museum has a separate unit headed by a Keeper. Besides providing
general information about the museum, it maintains correspondence with
scholars, private and public institutions, educationists, general public and
guides the visitor in almost all respects.

In addition to training opportunities, permission to photograph the

objects, access to the reserve collection and library, it offers advice on
identification of works of art owned by individuals and institutions, and
guidance to the school children for preparation of their projects relating to
various topics on Indian arts.
Besides selling replicas of masterpieces cast in fiber glass and
plaster of Paris, a variety of museum publications such as catalogues, deluxe
publications, picture post cards, guide books, gallery sheets, colors slides,
reproductions of paintings etc., are provided for sale at reasonable prices. It
also provides admission tickets to the visitors and collects camera fee.

Educational Programmes :
National Museum Institute, deemed to be a university, imparts
teaching to students who enroll themselves for M.A. degree in
conservation. The staff of laboratory gives emphasis as much on
theoretical courses as on practical work. The laboratory provides

guidance to other institutions not having facilities for restoration,

and has been rendering valuable services to many institutions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sites :
www.nationalmuseum.org
Books:
A Guide to National Museum

Case Study Report

On
National Museum,
Janpath, New Delhi.