The Architecture of Experience

In museum studies, the way space is arranged has a direct impact on how visitors move, perceive, and engage with exhibitions. This study compares two Indian art museums with contrasting layouts: the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) (loop plan) and Jaipur House, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) (core-and-satellite plan). This paper has used spatial analysis methods drawn from space syntax and isovist-based modeling. The research evaluates variables such as connectivity, integration, depth, intelligibility, and visual openness. Software tools including DepthmapX and Isovist 2.4.9 were applied. The statistical summaries were used to interpret spatial qualities. The findings indicate that KNMA’s continuous loop supports openness and smoother navigation, whereas Jaipur House generates more segmented and enclosed experiences. These differences extend beyond architecture, shaping the legibility and coherence of visitor movement. The study argues that spatial configuration should be treated as a curatorial tool that influences accessibility and interpretation. In doing so, it adds evidence from Indian case studies to wider debates on museum spatial design and provides insights useful for architects, curators, and planners seeking to strengthen visitor-centered strategies.