Phase 1

Masterplan Phase 1 (click image for larger version)

In April 2003, the Museum completed the first phase of its Masterplan. Working with the architects Caruso St John, this phase achieved critical repair, refurbishment and improvement works to the building, and a redisplay of the Museum's upper galleries.

The roof of the building was repaired and the glazing cleaned and coated. The interior walls and iron work were repainted following Victorian ideas about polychromy.

The marble (ground) floor was cleared to create an open space which greatly improved the sight lines through to the rear of the Museum, and eased congestion problems with visitors at the front of the Museum. The shop, information desk and café were redesigned to make them more open-plan and accessible.

The upper Childhood Galleries, which include the dolls' houses, were redisplayed with a thematic approach, and interactive areas were established for babies, young and older children. Response to the project has been very positive; visitor numbers since completion are almost 25% higher than they were before the project.