Lumsden, a design firm specialising in retail and F&B for visitor attractions, has announced that it has been selected to design interiors for a new building at the Natural History Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen.
The firm’s portfolio includes several design projects for leading cultural institutions around the world.
Creating a cohesive thread
The Natural History Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen is developing a new exhibition space which is being built in its Botanical Garden. Lumsden’s remit will include the restaurant, retail, ticketing, event, and flow areas for this new space. Although the new museum building is not expected to open to the public for another few years, plans are already underway for public spaces and exhibitions.
A key specification from the museum has been to establish a coherent thread connecting all public spaces, including meeting and education rooms, the museum shop, ticket sales areas, cafe areas, and other visitor areas. This is a major undertaking as the central thread needs to be applied to both the recently built exhibition halls and the fine historical buildings that make up the new museum building.
Lumsden has established a reputation for bolstering the brands of their partners and specialises in designing retail and restaurant spaces for cultural organisations.
Anne-Marie Hoogerwerf-Hospes, head of the Natural History Museum of Denmark’s commercial activities, comments: “As a national museum, it is essential for us that everyone visiting the museum feels welcome and is inspired to explore and engage with nature. This experience should also be possible when enjoying a cup of coffee in the restaurant or buying a gift in the shop.
“Lumsden has presented us with a range of exciting ideas that have convinced us that they are the right choice to handle interior design so that the entire museum functions as a unified and unique experience.”
Convincing portfolio
Lumsden has collaborated with some of the world’s most recognisable cultural institutions, including MoMA in New York, M+ in Hong Kong, the National Gallery in London, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter in both London and Tokyo.
Hoogerwerf-Hospes continues: “It is essential that the museum’s extensive natural history knowledge and collections are not only reflected in the exhibitions but are also put into play in all areas accessible to the public. We want our guests to gain knowledge about climate change and the increased pressure on wildlife and plant life, but a visit to the museum should also inspire positive change through engagement.
“This requires that the museum has a strong and clear brand to achieve cohesion between the public and the museum. Therefore, the partners we choose must not only have good ideas but also experience in implementing them. Here, Lumsden’s convincing portfolio has shown that they can handle the task at our museum.”
James Dwyer, creative director at Lumsden, says: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to work on this unique project in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Our common goal is to create a cohesive museum experience where the richness of the collections, the compelling stories of the exhibitions, and the beautiful Botanical Garden seamlessly merge and reflect in the other visitor areas, with a focus on the museum’s visions and values.”
Lumsden developed the retail, box office and entrance spaces for the much-awaited exhibition The Art of Banksy, which recently opened on Regent Street in London.
All images kind courtesy of Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects
