The Painted Hall, The Old Royal Naval College
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New permanent interpretation for one of the most important Baroque painted interiors in Europe.
The Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich 2019.
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The Painted Hall sits within the Old Royal Naval College in London. It is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site, and the buildings are Grade I Listed.
The project created a new entrance into the King William Undercroft beneath the Hall, a new welcome area, shop, café and exhibition gallery, and cohesive interpretation across the site.
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We developed interpretation which was sensitive to the conservation requirements of this prestigious space. Carefully considered colours and materials reflected the architectural histories of the site. Upholstered leather day beds allowed visitors to sit and lie beneath the ceiling. Audio guides linked with physical interpretation through the building.
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An obelisk sculpture was co-created for the building entrance with students from the Building Crafts College. It features hand-carved astrological formations found on the Painted Ceiling, and acts as a wayfinding point for visitors.
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We worked with an access panel to collaboratively workshop designs. This resulted in mirrored tables for visitors to view the ceiling from below, and bronze reliefs of ceiling details, which provided enhanced tactile and braille access. High-quality printed reproductions of ceiling details were also provided in the Hall in book form.
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Sensory backpacks were designed as sailor’s ditty bags, which provided playful material for SEND families to explore the Painted Ceiling.
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Interactives included high-quality replicas of key elements of the Painted Ceiling, such as an astrolabe, Medusa's shield and a sun dial. Replicas of costumes were available for visitors to try on. Exhibit benches in the undercroft offered brass handling objects and question-and-reveal flaps.
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Details from the ceiling were introduced across the site, including 1:1 scale reproductions of elements of the painting on cafe tables. The main entrance to the building was flanked by full-size light boxes on the windows which reproduced parts of the painting at street level.
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The unexpected discovery of Tudor ruins during renovations was incorporated into an in-situ exhibit providing interpretation about the architectural history of the site.