David Chipperfield Architects to work with the Geffrye on major Museum of the Home development

Masterplan by David Chipperfield Architects, 2010

The Geffrye, the UK’s only museum of the home, today announced the appointment of David Chipperfield Architects to take forward their masterplan for an ambitious development scheme. Support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for this project was announced in May 2011.

The Museum of the Home development will make the Geffrye a centre for learning and discovery about not just the physical nature of home, but also the ideas, meanings and values which are expressed through home. The project includes the creation of a new library, learning and exhibition spaces, and the enhancement of the Geffrye’s existing public areas, addressing circulation issues and embracing the new Hoxton Station directly behind the museum. It will provide approximately 2,500 square metres of additional space on land owned by the museum, immediately adjacent to the existing buildings and fronting onto Cremer Street and Geffrye Street.

The masterplan for the new development was devised by David Chipperfield Architects in collaboration with Geffrye staff over the last two years. It provides an excellent foundation on which to ensure that these interventions optimise the museum’s potential whilst retaining its characteristic charm and intimacy.

The Geffrye’s director, David Dewing, says: “This is an important and challenging journey for the museum, and we are delighted to be working with David Chipperfield and his team on this exciting project. Their approach is thoughtful, clear and highly professional. David Chipperfield Architects show great confidence in their ability to resolve the complicated and sensitive planning and design issues involved with creating innovative interventions whilst maintaining the quality and integrity of the Geffrye’s existing buildings and gardens”.

David Chipperfield says “We are delighted to have been appointed by the Geffrye Museum to further our work that started with the masterplan in 2009 leading to a detailed proposal for this unique institution”.

The achievement of the Museum of the Home development plan during 2014-15 will be a fitting celebration for some very important anniversaries: 400 years after namesake Robert Geffrye’s birth in 1613, 300 years after the opening of the Geffrye Almshouses in 1714 and 100 years after the opening of the Geffrye Museum in 1914. 

Notes to Editors

1. For further information, please contact Nancy Loader, Press Officer, on 020 7739 9893 or press@geffrye-museum.org.uk.

2. Heritage Lottery Fund Grant

In May 2011, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a Development Grant of £518,500 to help the Geffrye Museum progress its plans for a major development under its new title of Museum of the Home. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. The HLF first-round pass means that the Geffrye can now progress to the second stage of the HLF application process and have up to two years to submit more detailed plans and apply for the balance of their £10.9m bid. The total project cost is an estimated £13.2m and is due for completion in April 2015. 

3. The project will start with briefing workshops to review and assess the masterplan, particularly the restaurant and conference centre, and to understand the Geffrye’s needs and agree goals. The process requires alignment of the brief, cost and programme. Meetings with a range of consultees and statutory bodies will be held during the autumn.

4. Geffrye Museum

The Geffrye explores the home from 1600 to the present day. A chronological sequence of period rooms show how homes have been used and furnished over the past 400 years, reflecting the changes in society and patterns of behaviour as well as style, fashion and taste. The museum is set in the former almshouses of the Ironmongers’ Company, Grade 1 listed, early 18^th century buildings, surrounded by attractive gardens, in Shoreditch, East London.

The museum has developed significantly since 1990, both as an organisation and in terms of its buildings, displays and gardens. A new entrance and reception building was opened in 1993, and a major extension designed by Branson Coates Architecture was completed in 1998, providing galleries for 20^th century displays and temporary exhibitions as well as new education facilities and a restaurant. All of the early period rooms have been successively replaced with new displays reflecting current standards and scholarship. Gardens have been created to the rear of the almshouse buildings in the form a walled herb garden and a series of period garden rooms. One of the historic almshouses has been faithfully restored to show the living conditions for pensioners in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

5. David Chipperfield Architects

For press enquiries relating to David Chipperfield Architects, please contact Jacqueline Barhouch, Head of Communications, on Jacqui.Barhouch@davidchipperfield.co.uk or 020 7620 4800.

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