The Black Taj – Afterglow: Reviving Mughal Architecture through Sustainable Design

The concept of immortality is more than the endurance of form—it is the endurance of meaning. Afterglow, designed for The Black Taj competition, is a shortlisted architectural proposal by Narendra, Vikram, Smaran, and Sandesh that transcends the idea of a static monument. Instead, it envisions a living organism at the heart of Agra—one that embodies both Mughal grandeur and contemporary sustainability.

This visionary project seeks to reawaken the spirit of Mughal architecture through adaptive design, cultural continuity, and functional urban integration. Afterglow doesn’t merely look back at the past—it carries it forward into the future, transforming the myth of the Black Taj into an evolving landscape of memory, geometry, and community.

Sunlight filters through perforations above, illuminating suspended sculptural elements inspired by Mughal art and heritage.

A layered interior revealing the rhythmic flow of light and form, showcasing Mughal miniature-inspired murals and spatial continuity.

Design Methodology: Geometry, Symbolism, and Time

At its essence, Afterglow draws inspiration from the geometry and spiritual symbolism embedded in Mughal design. The architects approached the concept as a study of transcendence through geometry, where structure becomes narrative. They began by analyzing the urban and cultural context of Agra, and asked: What would “Afterglow” mean if architecture could dream?

Through iterative design, they developed a form language rooted in symmetry, abstraction, and cosmic geometry, reinterpreting Mughal spatial logic in a contemporary idiom. The result is not merely a replica or reinterpretation of the Taj—it’s a mirror held up to its ideology.

The structure’s evolution from plan to form is guided by a triadic relationship between geometry, symbolism, and sustainability, culminating in a monument that bridges temporal divides.

The Last Mughal Monument: Deriving Form from Legacy

Breaking down the architectural grammar of the Mughal period, the team abstracted patterns from the Quranic scripts, arches, and domes into a generative design system. These motifs informed both the massing and the structural rhythm of the proposal.

The architecture of Afterglow emerges from the earth itself, folding and rising like a poetic gesture. Beneath the surface lies a sequence of cavernous interiors—spaces of reflection and celebration, where light filters through perforations, echoing celestial constellations.

In essence, Afterglow functions as a spatial meditation on Mughal heritage—its geometry derived from the very principles that defined Islamic architecture, yet reinterpreted to address the social and environmental challenges of the present day.

Urban Strategy: Reimagining Agra’s Functionality

Rather than isolating the monument, the architects embedded Afterglow within the urban metabolism of Agra. The design responds to the city’s infrastructural challenges—particularly those related to waste management, mobility, and energy.

By integrating a Waste-to-Energy plant and connecting it with a cultural hub, Afterglow transforms what was once a neglected periphery into a sustainable urban ecosystem. This synergy between architecture and ecology ensures that the site not only narrates history but also participates in the city’s future.

The result is a rare dialogue between heritage conservation and environmental architecture—a balance of aesthetics, performance, and purpose.

Expansive subterranean hall where structure, shadow, and light intersect—inviting public movement beneath monumental vaults.

Hanging geometric volumes form a contemplative space of reflection, symbolizing fragments of Mughal memory suspended in time.

Spatial Experience: A Monument beneath the Earth

Descending into the monument, visitors encounter a cathedral-like subterranean space where hanging crystalline structures capture light in ethereal compositions. These suspended forms represent fragments of Mughal art and memory—timeless, fragmented, and resplendent.

Each interior zone unfolds as a chapter in Agra’s cultural journey—from contemplative halls and galleries to open courtyards for public gatherings. Light becomes the narrative element, carving out spaces that feel sacred yet accessible.

The architects describe this experience as “walking through the afterlife of architecture”—where material and immaterial realms converge in awe-inspiring harmony.

Sustainability and Cultural Resilience

Beyond symbolism, Afterglow stands as a model for sustainable architectural practice. Its earth-bermed design ensures thermal regulation, while the waste-to-energy integration creates a net-positive ecological footprint. Rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and minimal material intervention further align it with the principles of regenerative design.

Yet, the most profound sustainability lies in its cultural endurance—its ability to preserve memory through adaptation. Afterglow offers a framework for cultural architecture that evolves, teaches, and coexists with its environment.

A Monument of Tomorrow

In Afterglow, architecture becomes more than a container of history—it becomes an act of resurrection. As the Taj Mahal embodies love frozen in marble, Afterglow embodies continuity sculpted in earth and light.

By merging Mughal philosophy with ecological urbanism, the project transforms Agra into a living museum of its own heritage. It invites locals, travelers, and dreamers to participate in a dialogue between past and future—a dialogue illuminated by its eternal afterglow.