The Wellcome Collection in London has unveiled a £17.5m development project that will boost its gallery space by 30% and double its capacity for public events.
Scheduled to open in summer 2014, the development will include a thematic gallery that aims to bridge the gap between temporary and permanent displays.
In-depth exhibitions will be shown over a yearlong period, with changing displays and events running alongside them. The first exhibition will explore attitudes towards sex.
There will also be a dedicated youth events studio, which will allow 14- to 19-year-olds to produce work that contributes to the Wellcome Collection’s programme. The library’s reach will be widened to include a new programme of events and displays of books and objects in the Reading Room.
Plans for a second-floor restaurant, in addition to the existing cafe, will increase commercial opportunities, while a new spiral staircase will make the first and second floors more accessible.
Ken Arnold, the head of public programmes at the Wellcome Collection, said: “Our new thematic gallery and youth events studio will give a greater depth to the Wellcome Collection experience and allow us to experiment across our programmes with bold new exhibition and event formats.
"The spaces will allow us to challenge and inspire the curious minds of our growing number of visitors.”
The Wellcome Collection will remain open to the public throughout the redevelopment, which will begin next summer.
Scheduled to open in summer 2014, the development will include a thematic gallery that aims to bridge the gap between temporary and permanent displays.
In-depth exhibitions will be shown over a yearlong period, with changing displays and events running alongside them. The first exhibition will explore attitudes towards sex.
There will also be a dedicated youth events studio, which will allow 14- to 19-year-olds to produce work that contributes to the Wellcome Collection’s programme. The library’s reach will be widened to include a new programme of events and displays of books and objects in the Reading Room.
Plans for a second-floor restaurant, in addition to the existing cafe, will increase commercial opportunities, while a new spiral staircase will make the first and second floors more accessible.
Ken Arnold, the head of public programmes at the Wellcome Collection, said: “Our new thematic gallery and youth events studio will give a greater depth to the Wellcome Collection experience and allow us to experiment across our programmes with bold new exhibition and event formats.
"The spaces will allow us to challenge and inspire the curious minds of our growing number of visitors.”
The Wellcome Collection will remain open to the public throughout the redevelopment, which will begin next summer.
