Claude Batley

The Claude Batley House is an early 20th century building within the museum campus was built by a prominent British architect Claude Batley (1879 – 1956). It is a double-storied structure that features a centrally located open-air courtyard – an element particularly well suited for the domestic life in the Indian context. This courtyard served as the heart of the household, functioning as a communal space for cooking, dining and gathering. Reflecting Batley’s sensitivity to climate and cultural practices, this design exemplifies his ability to merge form with function. It is a thoughtful blend of modernist principles with vernacular architectural languages. The building has been sensitively restored by Rahul Mehrotra Associates, and now houses the Indigo Art Museum, dedicated to the Indigo art and innovation.