MANCHESTER MUSEUM

We were honoured and hugely excited to deliver against such a bold, rich, transformational brief for so historic an institution. Its varied spaces and facilities have a multitude of purposes, atmospheres and intents, all of which are vital to the museum as a whole. 

Our interior scheme began with research into the museum’s past whilst focusing on the aspiration of creating a museum where ‘everybody is welcome’, representing and encouraging all cultures and generations to spend quality time within the museum. 

We curated a selection of rich colours and authentic materials inspired by spaces around the world, whilst aiming to reimagine how the museum may once have looked, as an ode to the past, whilst representing the museum and its values as they stand today. We partnered with Little Greene Paints to curate the colour palette for the museum, featuring bold, yet warm tones such as Goblin, Nether Red and Cordoba.

The material DNA was inspired by the museum’s natural sciences and human cultures. Honest and authentic materials such as natural stones, brass and solid oak, were used throughout the project, paying particular focus on their credentials, ensuring they were ethically and sustainably sourced. We balanced the traditional architecture with the use of high-quality modern furniture, using conscious designers including HAY, Menu, Howe and Arper.

Of utmost importance for us was to create a visual through-line across these spaces, showcasing high impact objects, mindful of the unique functionality of each space, visitor experience and visitor flow and embodying a commitment to sustainable and inclusive design.