Buttress Architects | Manchester Museum

Conservation Plan

In 2009 we undertook a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) to help look holistically at the condition and significance of the Grade II and II* listed buildings of Manchester Museum, and to enable future development plans to take shape. The CMP covers external and internal spaces of the museum estate and included a remote access photographic survey. We were appointed again in 2016 to update and extend the scope of the Conservation Plan in line with the future plans for the museum.
Living Worlds Gallery

Working with the museum we helped to realise the creative concept of the exhibition designer, Villa Eugenie, within the grade II* listed Waterhouse Building. The gallery is on the ground floor and has taken the standard object based, glass case display and redesigned and re-displayed the collections to illustrate topics relating to nature and environment, and people’s place within it.

For us the challenge of this project was to enable the strong visual identity of the new gallery to be realised whilst celebrating the architecture of the building; and without detracting from its significance. Insertion of M+E has been achieved seamlessly so that it is not visible within the new galleries and the visitor is left to engage with and enjoy the displays.
Ancient World Gallery

Working with exhibition designers, Opera, we have restored the gallery to provide a contemporary visitor experience, vastly increasing the opportunity for engagement and interaction with the exhibits.

Conservation Plan

Living Worlds Gallery

Ancient World Gallery