Ready to bring your historic site to life?
BLENDING OLD & NEW:
Designing Modern Exhibitions in Historic Builings
Contact Mather & Co to bring your story to life with creativity, sensitivity, and innovation. info @ matherandco. com
01625 521 128 www. matherandco. com
In their Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings exhibition, which tells the story of the first iron-framed building in the world, a 3D model of the mill offers a virtual exploration of the site’ s historical uses. Within this large 3D model, an embedded AV screen invites visitors to choose a timeframe from the site’ s history, breaking down the virtual walls of the mill to reveal its activities during that period through digital recreation. This interpretive element exemplifies how high-tech solutions can significantly enhance visitor engagement and comprehension of a site’ s history through both tactile interaction and digital reconstruction.
Conclusion Designing modern exhibitions within historic buildings demands a thoughtful balance of innovation and sensitivity. Mather & Co’ s experience demonstrates that, when done well, contemporary interventions can not only respect the heritage of a site but also enhance its storytelling and visitor appeal. By allowing the building’ s character to guide the design and embracing layered interpretation techniques, they ensure that exhibitions remain accessible, engaging, and sustainable. Their work continues to show how old and new can exist in harmony, breathing new life into treasured spaces while preserving their legacy for generations to come.
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