Rich colours and authentic materials have inspired the interior transformation of Manchester Museum.
It’s just reopened following a £15m investment, with many of the internal designs created by Preston’s Artistry House Interiors.
“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,” said Artistry House Interior designer Rose Peploe.
“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.
Artistry House worked across non-gallery spaces within the museum, including the entrance area and reception, main hall and pop up café, shop, main café, high impact object displays and prayer room.
More than 130 years old, Manchester Museum is one of the largest university museums in the UK.
“Although our collections are important, the hello future transformation was about so much more – we wanted to create a welcoming environment where everyone belongs, and design is integral to that,” added Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“We required a design partner that understood and would help us reflect our mission. It’s so important to us that we work with partners who align with our values. We’re delighted with the work Artistry House has done – they’ve helped us bring our vision to life.
“Transforming a historic building with such a large collection and renewing our civic mission was a complex project and it’s been achieved thanks to a spirit of collective endeavour. The galleries and facilities that you will now find across the museum have been co-curated and co-designed and displays include new and diverse perspectives.”
The Preston company 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.
“We curated a selection of rich colours and authentic materials inspired from 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,” continued Peploe.
“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.”
Artistry House is a sister company of creative agency, Wash Studio.
