Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery

Our museum gallery designers were approached by the Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery, who were in the process of planning a comprehensive refurbishment of the museum’s ground floor. The museum’s ambitious redesign would include a striking entrance hall and numerous large, modernised galleries. The displays and galleries had over the years become increasingly dated and lost much of their appeal, particularly to younger visitors and families.

Before our appointment for the project, we were asked about our vision for the museum. We highlighted how each section should tell engaging stories with items on exhibit to engage visitors, elicit a desire to learn, and boost the likelihood of a repeat visit.

Initial talks with key staff members took place, and we agreed to conduct a series of design workshops to develop concepts for each gallery. These workshops utilise large-scale models to assist the museum team in better comprehending the available space and how to deliver narratives effectively.

Each museum department worked with our museum gallery designers in small groups to generate layouts and displays. These layouts were simple at first; for example, post-it notes and foam pieces represented display showcases, graphic panels, and prints of objects. These design techniques help spark creative ideas that could be tested in the model.

Both conservators and curators were delighted to play an active role in designing their galleries. This approach brought the museum staff together. This was the first time everyone could have input on how their museum galleries would look and feel. Once each gallery concept design was approved, every exhibition display item was added to a spreadsheet, allowing an accurate budget to be calculated for grant purposes.

The next stage was to take these striking concept designs into more detail, including adding a new shop and an essential café. The completed model and detailed drawings formed part of the NHLF (National Heritage Lottery Fund) submission. The NHLF representatives remarked on the quality of the approach, presentation, attention to detail, and accuracy of budgeting and submission.

While waiting for the outcome of the grant, the model was displayed in the museum’s entrance hall, allowing visitors and friends to glimpse into the future of their beloved museum. The project successfully secured joint funding from the City Council and the National Heritage Lottery Fund. The museum gallery design project was completed from start to finish in 18 months and came in under the original budget.