Iran: Wonders of Nature
Showcasing thousands of years of history
The landscapes of Iran have shaped its people, culture, and identity for more than five millennia. From deserts and mountains to rivers and gardens, nature has always been both a resource and a symbol in Iranian history. Working with the Wardlaw Museum at the University of St Andrews and the Sarikhani Collection, we were commissioned to design Iran: Wonders of Nature, an exhibition that would explore these relationships through more than 100 rare artefacts.
The curatorial brief asked us to translate complex themes — from ancient cosmology to modern artistic expression — into an accessible journey for audiences in Scotland. At the heart of the project was the challenge of celebrating the splendour of the objects while also weaving them into a wider story about nature’s enduring influence on Iranian society.
One of the most extraordinary assemblies of art in Britain
Our design concept drew inspiration from the chaharbagh, the traditional Persian four-part garden. We divided the exhibition into four thematic sections — earth, water, plants, and animals — each with its own colour palette and typographic style. This structure provided clarity for visitors while echoing the deep symbolism of gardens in Iranian culture.
We used patterned partitions to filter light, casting intricate shadows across the galleries and creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and expansive. Axonometric sketches and physical models were developed in collaboration with the curatorial team to refine the visitor journey, ensuring that the flow between sections felt natural and cohesive. Graphics were kept deliberately minimal so that the artefacts — ranging from Bronze Age vessels to exquisite Islamic manuscripts — remained the stars of the show.
The final installation combined elegance with playfulness. Alongside formal object displays, we introduced hand-drawn illustrations inspired by the collection, applied directly to walls to create moments of delight and accessibility. These bold visual interventions provided a counterpoint to the precious artefacts, ensuring the exhibition appealed to families and younger audiences as well as scholars.
Colour, light, and pattern worked together to immerse visitors in a sensory journey, framing the objects within a larger narrative of how Iranians have lived with, represented, and been inspired by the natural world. The result was an exhibition that not only showcased treasures from the Sarikhani Collection but also invited audiences to consider the universal relationship between people and nature across time.
“Through the creation of intricately detailed illustrations of key manuscripts and artefacts, captivating film, bespoke plinth and mount designs, animations and even smells, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through Iran’s history immersing visitors in Persian culture and its relationship with nature.”
Scottish Design Awards 2024
