In 2019, we were honoured to collaborate with the Himalayan Trust to transform a schoolhouse, originally built by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1962, into the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre in Khumjung village, Nepal. Situated at an elevation of 3,790 metres in the remote Khumbu region, this project aimed to create a space that served both the local community and visitors, celebrating Sir Ed’s enduring legacy in the region. With no road access to the most remote site imaginable, a requirement for graphics in three languages, and some miniature Mount Everest on the side, this was going to be an epic undertaking.
Our role involved site-specific design and the production management of graphics and a 3d printed terrain model. Collaborating with Pearson Associates, writer Alexa Johnston, and for mapping National Geographic we aimed to build on the work of the Himalayan Trust, revealing the profound bond between Ed Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, and the Sherpa community. Our graphics needed to communicate in Sherpa, Nepali, and English to tell the story of how Hillary and Tenzing’s Everest ascent inspired so many projects in the region.
The process required integrating graphic elements with Pearson Associates’ 3D designs and working closely with author Alexa Johnston to complement her narrative with a vibrant and appropriate style. Local school children participated, and murals were painted by local artists. Intensive image research by The Letter Q provided source material for an enveloping photographic display of the region’s incredible flora and fauna.
Many logistical challenges needed to be overcome, often by coordinating across time zones with team members in Nepal, Europe, and New Zealand, to ensure all elements were produced, delivered, and installed in this remote location with no road access. At times graphics travelled to the location using aircraft then carried by the skilled porters that guide on the local trails.
The visitor centre reflects the vibrant colours and warmth of Khumjung village life. It helps preserve Sherpa language and traditions while encouraging the need for conservation in the region. Featuring an innovative colour 3D-printed terrain model of Everest, production managed by The Letter Q, as well as all graphics treatments, the centre enhances visitors’ knowledge of the Sherpa community and the work of the Himalayan Trust.
The opening event, celebrated during the 70th Everest summit anniversary in 2023, was attended by Hillary family members and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. It continues to be a source of pride for the local community, a project that showcases the kind of collaborative spirit that continues to grow between Kiwis and Sherpas. What better way to honour the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary.
