British Museum
2024
Entrance pavilion to the South Forecourt, image by Nora Walter
Assemble and Periscope were shortlisted to redesign a family of new visitor pavilions at the British Museum's two entrances in collaboration with Neal Shasore and Store Projects.
The Visitor Welcome Programme presents an opportunity for a sensitive and practical elaboration of the historic entrance to the British Museum site through careful appreciation of its virtues and significance.
Our proposal balances a light-touch approach – enabling and emphasising the current framing of the view from the roadside, whilst also deploying familiar materials and forms, informed by the strong design cues of the Museum’s existing buildings.
Entrance pavilions on Montague Place, image by Nora Walter
The family of Pavilions incorporates the practical and logistical needs of the brief whilst also reframing the relationship between this historic public museum and its visiting public.
Our project will transform the role of the open spaces of the museum, establish a direct relationship with visitors, be a forum for discussion and interact positively with Holborn’s urban environment.
View back to South Forecourt pavilion, image by Nora Walter
In this way, the physical presence of the museum can support its local, national, international and digital presences; a place demonstrably open to new ideas, new collaborations, changing perspectives and profound innovation.