Archetech - Issue 20 [Page 82]
Wilkinson Eyre’s intervention has reorganised the building in order
to enrich the visitor experience and improve footfall through
all publicly accessible floors. Working within the confines of the
existing building, Wilkinson Eyre has succeeded in creating 40%
more exhibition space, along with a new Reading Room, a new
youth events space (The Studio), and a new research area (The
Hub).The transformation has also improved Wellcome Collection’s
presence on the busy Euston Road and has expanded the atrium
space to support increased visitor numbers.
A dynamic new steel staircase has been introduced between
the ground and second floors to enhance circulation between
floors and entice visitors up to the expanded first floor gallery
spaces and destination restaurant on the second floor. The 17.5
metric ton steel structure is sculpted into a flowing, swirling form,
enticing the eye and drawing people up through the building.
The finished staircase is shot-blasted on the outside and the inside
faces, which are closer to the public, were sprayed with a cold zinc
and hot stainless steel solution that was hand-polished by one
individual.
A thematic exhibition gallery has been created on the first floor,
replacing administrative offices. It completes a loop on the first
floor, allowing visitors to circle around the building, linking the
Medicine Man and Medicine Now permanent galleries to the new
youth events space. The latter has been added as a purpose-built
flexible contemporary studio for teenagers to creatively engage
with science and art offering both hi-tech digital technology and
low-tech modelling and making equipment. It brings together
elements of common rooms, bedrooms, music studios and
laboratories to create a unique environment for participatory
learning.