A new gallery at London’s Science Museum, designed by Muf Architecture/Art, combines science with craft, design and art. Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery has been designed for school groups, yet bespoke details, contemporary art and comfortable seating make the experience adult-friendly too.
A contemporary reinvention of the Children’s Gallery which opened in 1931, the gallery was a part of the museum designated for children to play, experiment and learn in. The architects worked with the existing structure on the third floor. ‘We cut away the walls to make this long view, so it’s a bit like being in a city, you can always see another street to go down,’ says Liza Fior, partner at Muf architecture/art, who was hyper-aware of how each individual would use the space.
Divided into seven scientific zones, there are over 50 different exhibits uniquely designed by a whole range of collaborators for children to explore. ‘There’s always somewhere for people to gather around. There’s never a sense of a queue, even if there is the maximum of 500 people in here,’ she continues.
A sense of history and narrative has been embedded through the choice of materials. ‘There’s a tendency [in] modern school design [to] all white, clean and colourful,’ says Fior, who wanted to bring dreaming and curiosity back into education architecture. Deep red quilted undercroft is paired with brass in the theatre, while in the more industrial gallery, air con vents are painted sparkly white and crystals are set into smooth wooden benches.
The team at Muf selected the craftspeople and artists to work with, so while there is a plethora of materials and styles, a sense of cohesion is maintained. A light installation by Front picks out the 500 stars closest to the earth while ex-Droog designer Arnout Visser’s glass creations decorate the Chemistry Bar, an exhibit where live experiments can be ordered.
‘It’s a learning space, so we wanted every exhibit to perform’, said Toby Parkin, Wonderlab's curator, who wanted to recreate the excitement that was ignited by the Great Exhibition of 1851. The attention to detail makes the gallery an incredible place to be for an adult as well. ‘It’s all here for adults,’ says Parkin, ‘We wanted to add these beautiful pieces in so adults felt comfortable in the space as well.’
A series of still life photographs by artist Siobhan Liddell are exhibited above a seating area where building blocks are arranged into puzzles, their colours chosen by Liddell to create a continuous aesthetic journey. ‘Where do architecture and design stop and start?’ questions Fior. ‘Everytime you sit down you feel like somebody’s been thinking of you, whether it’s a rail that you touch or finding a crystal in a seat. It’s an incredibly luxurious place to be.’
The 120-seat theatre is built within a larger room that welcomes children before they enter the Wonderlab. Acoustics were important for Liza Fior, co-founder at Muf Architecture/Art, who wanted to create a sense of calm in this space to build anticipation
A rotating solar system, which can be ridden by visitors, is a central focus of the Wonderlab
The gallery’s texts have been designed by graphic designers Objectif and illustrator Andrew Rae, who worked with different materials to reflect each scientific zone
Arnout Visser, a former designer at Droog, worked with Czech makers to create oversized glass pieces for the Chemistry Bar, where children can order up some slime or liquid nitrogen
A little window gives children a peek into the gallery before they go in, heightening their sense of excitement
The gallery is designed for school groups, providing space for exploring, experimenting, gathering and eating
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Muf Architecture/Art website (opens in new tab)
ADDRESS
Science Museum Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD
-
The best London art exhibitions: a guide for March 2023Your guide to the best London art exhibitions, and those around the UK in March 2023, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
-
Craig Green on his ‘decorated men’ and those hand-moulded leather accessories
‘They are almost like a relic,’ says British designer Craig Green of the hand-moulded leather objects that appeared as part of his S/S 2023 collection, a musing on functionality and decoration
-
Wadi AlFann, AlUla’s new land art destination, is stirring creativity in the desert
Wadi AlFann – Saudi Arabia’s Valley of the Arts – hints at the scale of its ambition with an event in the desert for curators, artists and cultural leaders ahead of the completion of its site and first five artworks
-
London architecture exhibitions 2023: a guide to the best shows this month
Exciting, beautiful and thought-provoking London architecture exhibitions; here's our pick of the finest in town, to visit and enjoy this month
-
Iconic music venue New Century returns to life in Manchester
Music venue New Century in Manchester is back in action following sensitive revamp by architects Sheppard Robson
-
The finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
For some of the world's finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond, scroll below. Can’t get enough of brutalism? Neither can we.
-
Charles Holland’s east London house refresh offers ‘playful conservation’
Charles Holland’s east London house design for Will Wiles and Hazel Tsao Wiles brings light, colour and flair to a Victorian restoration process
-
Don’t Move, Improve! 2023 longlist and what it reveals for London homes
The Don’t Move, Improve! 2023 longlist has been announced, unveiling some 50 homes and swathes of creativity in London’s residential architecture
-
A redesigned staircase brings openness and light in London townhouse transformation
Townhouse of Seven Stories by Architensions uses a redesigned staircase to bring openness and light to a historic London home
-
‘Women’s Work: London’ celebrates architecture and International Women's Day
Action group Part W launches ‘Women's Work: London’, a project celebrating International Women’s Day and key projects by women in our built environment
-
Arthur Mamou-Mani: Can parametric architecture bring us closer to nature?
London-based French architect Arthur Mamou-Mani uses digital design and fabrication techniques to create temples of spirituality
