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Mineral Gallery Transformation Opens

Studio Wignall & Moore Launches Mineral Gallery Transformation

Studio Wignall and Moore have unveiled a transformation of the Royal Cornwall Museum’s Mineral Gallery showcasing 3500 years of Cornwall’s mining history with over 1000 mineral specimens on display.

Designed, Fabricated and Installed by the studio, the refurbishment of the Mineral Gallery celebrates the museums internationally significant mineral collection and presents a skillful upgrading of the space whilst retaining its original essence. Iconic elements have been retained such as the Edwardian cases which have been sympathetically renovated with new lighting and baseboards. The cases have also been carefully lowered in height to make the displays accessible to children and wheelchair users. Audio stories have been integrated into some of the cases with the lighting transitioning to a single object focused spotlight when the audio cup is lifted, highlighting a collection item relevant to the story. Where required, new cases were crafted to match the style of the gallery including the 3.7m tall ‘Wow wall’ which greats visitors with a spectacular mineral display as they enter the gallery.

The internal space has been entirely renovated and redecorated with a new bespoke wall paint crafted from Cornish minerals. Studio Wignall and Moore commissioned specialist pigment maker Lucy Mayes of London pigment to manufacture the specialist pigment which Rose of Jericho used to produce the finished paint.

A new state of the art ‘digital lab’ showcases immersive content celebrating the gallery’s handling collection while also being equipped for presentations and live streaming. The immersive content, produced by Maximo Recio, focuses on 4 minerals within the handling collection, taking viewers on a journey from an aerial perspective of each mineral’s origin to an abstract, microscopic interpretation of their formation process.

Bryony Robins, Artistic Director for the museum: “The Mineral Gallery is the first exhibition space in the museum to undergo an upgrade as part of our transformation project and we’re delighted to be re-opening its doors. This gallery holds a special place in many people’s hearts, in part not just because so many of the minerals are beautiful, but also because it’s an important collection for understanding Cornish mining and minerals and the role that mining continues to play in Cornwall. Our goal is to ensure that these improvements protect our collections and Institution, so future generations can continue to learn, explore, and visit us for another 200 years.”

“Minerals are the building blocks of the earth, with the unique geology and minerals of Cornwall having shaped the history of this region” commented Frances Wall, Professor of Applied Mineralogy at the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter. “We probably don’t think about minerals very much and yet everything we do, every day relies on minerals. Humans do two things- we grow plants and nurture animals, and every other material we use comes from the minerals in the earth. Phones, gadgets, high-tech renewable energy devices, cars, trains, machinery – all rely on minerals, so we should care about them very much.”

See the project page here.

Watch ITV coverage here.

 

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Vision for Elsecar Ironworks Announced

Vision for Elsecar Ironworks Announced

A new vision for the historic Elsecar ironworks has been announced with design concepts from Studio Wignall & Moore.

Against a backdrop of ancient woodland and mighty furnace ruins, our proposals seek to reference the archaeological evidence of the past without giving the impression of a direct historical representation. Ancient building methods are combined with cutting edge technology to ensure sustainable methods of construction that embody the ethos of Elsecar.

‘Studio Wignall & Moore’s contribution to the scheme includes designs which bring the stunning heritage of the recently scheduled monuments to the fore alongside 21st century technologies. Proposals include new build furnace sheds, worlds class public realm and sensitive renovations to surrounding existing buildings.

We are thrilled by the public announcement of the vision and look forward to seeing Elsecar return to its rightful place at the forefront of technology and innovation.

Read more here.

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Worlds Beneath the Waves Exhibition opens at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Worlds Beneath the Waves Exhibition opens at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Worlds Beneath the Waves at the National Museum of the Royal Navy marks 150 years since HMS Challenger’s remarkable circumnavigation.

From the early days of deepwater exploration when it took a crew of 250 to keep the ship steady enough to collect samples, to the modern-day era of hi-tech minisubs, a century and a half of oceanographic missions is being celebrated.

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Planning Permission and LBC Granted for new 1914-1918 Memorial to the Missing at Brookwood Cemetery

Planning Permission and LBC Granted for new 1914-1918 Memorial to the Missing at Brookwood Cemetery

CWGC continues to build war memorials to fulfil its mission of honoring the war dead, whether from past conflicts or more recent ones, and to ensure that the sacrifices of those who served are never forgotten.

The designs for the new 1914-1918 memorial, which commemorates Commonwealth casualties who died in the UK and Ireland who have no known grave, have been granted planning permission and Listed Building Consent. Many thanks to Tom Stuart-Smith and our client, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, for their collaboration to develop the designs this new memorial forest.

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Warkworth Castle – New Interpretation and Visitor Experience opens to the public

Warkworth Castle - New Interpretation and Visitor Experience opens to the public

Studio Wignall & Moore were commissioned by English Heritage to design and deliver a new heritage interpretation and visitor experience for Warkworth Castle. The exhibition reinvigorates the site whilst telling the stories of the people who used the castle during the 14th century. We invite the visitor to enter the castle for a day of discovery and exploration. Complete a ‘day’ in the life of your character and understand what it was like for them to live in their time and place.

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Win an Architect 2023 – We’ve been thrilled by the response to this years competition. Results published soon!

Win an Architect 2023 - We've been thrilled by the response to this years competition. Results published soon!

After two years celebrating cultural projects in the North, Studio Wignall & Moore launched their competition with an expanded reach, to seek out the most innovative client briefs and architectural proposals which enhance, showcase and celebrate culture outside the capital. We have been thrilled by the entries received and look forward to visiting the shortlist in the coming weeks.

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Planning Permission and LBC granted for Carriage House at Burton Agnes Hall

Planning Permission and LBC granted for Carriage House at Burton Agnes Hall

With this permission the Burton Agnes Hall Preservation Trust can move forward in completing a long-held ambition to improve the existing Stables & Coach House building appropriately and elegantly. By doing this they will better meet the diverse needs of current and future visitors in the context of an historic built environment.

‘Studio Wignall & Moore’s contribution to the scheme includes designs which bring the stunning heritage of the recently scheduled monuments to the fore alongside 21st century technologies. Proposals include new build furnace sheds, worlds class public realm and sensitive renovations to surrounding existing buildings.

We are thrilled by the public announcement of the vision and look forward to seeing Elsecar return to its rightful place at the forefront of technology and innovation.

Read more here.

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Armada Maps Exhibition Closes – See you in three years!

Armada Maps Exhibition Closes - See you in three years!

After a very limited run the National Treasures which are the Armada Maps have been placed back under lock and key (and in light proof storage) and await their next opportunity to be shown to the public.

Many thanks to the NMRN team and all the sponsors who made this exhibition possible.