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Avery Associates Architects
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The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has re-opened to critical acclaim following a seven-year £ 22M restoration and expansion project.
The Grade II listed market buildings of 1872 by Cubitts and William Rogers provided in many ways a perfect setting for such a museum. The buildings not only have the big spaces that are needed for the display of large artefacts but being right in the heart of London they add an extra meaning to the story of public transport in one of the greatest capital cities of the world.
There were however many counter-issues that challenged this perfect match. The entrance was poorly located; the shop and cafe were too small and not easily accessible; the internal circulation was too complicated and there were very severe solar heat gain problems arising from the large areas of single glazing in the roof.
The aim was thus to resolve the environmental problems and in so doing to significantly expand the museum and undertake a complete re-display of the museum's collection. This has involved a comprehensive renovation and restructuring of the fabric together with the construction of a new high level 'Victorian' display gallery, an underground lecture theatre, and a new entrance with cafe and shop.
The result is that the visitor numbers are now almost twice those of the previous museum and the success has been recognised by the award of the prestigious 2008 Museums and Heritage Award for innovative design and interpretation in museums and galleries.
"This is the best Transport Museum in the world."
"A Museum transported to delight...Best New Museum... the re-opened London Transport Museum is unrecognizable - and unmatched."
"There is a confidence about the Museum that is hard to resist."
"I was very impressed by the newly refurbished Museum, a truly wonderful example of how to educate the public about the importance of transport, especially in light of the challenge of Climate Change... The stimulating, imaginative and original public programme will help to inspire, inform and move forward the public debate about transport - using the past to inform the future."
Avery Associates Architects © 2009 |
