The London Museum has put out a tender for a lead designer to develop an 800-square-metre immersive exhibition in its recently rediscovered Victorian-era vaults.
Museum director Sharon Ament confirmed the project on LinkedIn earlier this week, inviting designers to express their interest in the £350,000 tender and “bring to light never-before-seen archaeological treasures, blending physical collections with cutting-edge storytelling to create an engaging, multi-sensory experience”.
“Innovative, accessible & compelling visitor journeys”
The extensive vaults were found in 2019 during the early stages of the £437 million development project. This prompted the architect to consider a range of plans for the space, including its reclosure. Following further funding, the basement can now be restored and developed.
The museum has offered a tender for the development of the first exhibition in the Victorian vaults, and is seeking a team to provide lead design, 3D design, graphic design, and lead design input into AV elements. It expects the project to be completed in July 2026.
“We are looking for designers who can craft innovative, accessible, and compelling visitor journeys, using creativity, design, and technology to bring history to life,” says Ament.
The project brief states: “The London Museum is seeking an exceptional exhibition design team to create a groundbreaking inaugural exhibition within the vaults — an atmospheric, historic, brick-vaulted basement space situated in the Victorian General Market building [that] forms part of the museum’s new home.
“This immersive experience will showcase never-before-seen archaeological treasures, blending physical collections with cutting-edge storytelling. We are looking for designers who can craft innovative, engaging, and accessible visitor experiences, bringing history to life through creativity, storytelling, and multi-sensory design.”
The London Museum development is one of the most ambitious cultural initiatives of the decade. It will involve the conversion of two historic buildings in the Smithfield Market complex into a new home for the Museum of London, which vacated its previous location at the Barbican in 2022.
Phase one is due to be completed in 2026 and will bring exhibition and events spaces, restaurants and retail to the Victorian-era General Market building and West Poultry Avenue.
Phase two is set to open in 2028, and will create two large galleries, a learning centre and collections store in the neighbouring Poultry Market building, which dates from the 1960s.
Images courtesy of Stanton Williams
