Geffrye Museum closing January for two-year redevelopment by Wright & Wright
by Tom Anstey | 10 Oct 2017
London’s Geffrye Museum will close in January ahead of a £18.1m (US$23.8m, €20.2m) transformation to create new spaces for its collections and library.
Founded in 1914, the Geffrye Museum specialises in the history of English domestic home interiors, showing the changing styles through 11 displayed period rooms, from 1600 to the present day.
Called 'Unlocking the Geffrye', the plans by London architecture firm Wright & Wright will allow visitors to explore new areas of the building, creating 50 per cent more room and adding two floors to its public space.
The plans will also make the museum more accessible, with a new entrance with improved visitor facilities opening opposite Hoxton Station. Other additions include learning and event spaces, as well as a new café.
The Geffrye will close on 7 January for almost two years while the redevelopment takes place. Throughout the closure the museum will be running a series of events and activities in its front gardens, while the restored almshouse will be open for tours on selected dates through 2018 and 2019.
“We are about to embark on our transformational development project, which will mean the museum will close on 7 January 2018 for two years,” a museum spokesperson told CLADglobal.
“In the meantime, the museum is very much open for business and visitors can look forward to a packed winter programme of events, including our annual Christmas Past exhibition which opens on 21 November. We will then say goodbye to both Christmas and the museum with a big closing party during the weekend of 6 and 7 January.”
The redevelopment has received the bulk of its funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which has given £12.3m (US$16.2m, €13.7m) to the project, with further funds coming from trusts, foundations and private investors, as well as the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Geffrye Museum W and W architects Unlocking the Geffrye visitor attractions museums architecture design
Easier access to Hoxton Station is a key part of the redevelopment Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
A new entrance will be created to enhance the pedestrianised plaza behind the museum and improve transport links Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
An old pub on the site will be restored, expanded and opened as a museum café Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
New event spaces are included in the redevelopment Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
The museum explores the changing role and status of the home from 1600 to the present day Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
New spaces are being created for the Geffrye library Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
New educational spaces will be created Credit: Wright & Wright Architects
07 Jul 2016
London's Geffrye Museum of the Home receives green light for £15m extension
22 Oct 2014
Designs unveiled for £15m Geffrye transformation
16 Apr 2014
Wright & Wright Architects to design Geffrye Museum development
07 May 2013
Council rejects Geffrye Museum's £18.9m plans
London’s Geffrye Museum will close in January ahead of a £18.1m (US$23.8m, €20.2m) transformation to create new spaces for its collections and library. Founded in 1914, the Geffrye Museum specialises in the history of English domestic home interiors, showing the changing styles through 11 displayed period rooms, from 1600 to the present day. Called 'Unlocking the Geffrye', the plans by London architecture firm Wright & Wright will allow visitors to
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