Horniman Museum

This extension to Charles Harrison Townsend's Grade II* listed Horniman Museum continues the sequence of Townsend's composition, with a long, vaulted metal-clad roof creating a third gable to the street. It provides galleries for the musical instrument collection and for temporary exhibitions, together with education spaces, a shop and cafe. It also re-orientates the museum away from the busy south circular road and towards the gardens to the west, and makes it fully accessible to all.

1/5

The entrance engages with the Horniman's landscaped gardens

2/5

Context

3/5

The new building adopts the same palette of materials as Townsed's originals: Doutling stone for the street facade and metal for the vaulted roof

4/5

In the cafe, a vaulted apex introduces daylight

5/5

The project also includes a timber-clad Conservation Centre within the grounds

City: London SE23
Use: Culture
Client: The Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust
Status: Completed
Size: 2,250 sqm
Awards: RIBA Award 2004, Civic Trust Award 2004
Collaborators: Structure: Ramboll Whitbybird Ltd
Services: Max Fordham LLP
Landscape: Elizabeth Banks Associates
Cost: David Langdon
Contractor: Costain Limited Ltd
Photography: Peter Cook, Dennis Gilbert