SCIENCE MUSEUM RESEARCH CENTRE
A 6,000 sqft sun-soaked cultural resource centre for The Science Museum’s print and digital archives, including a central reading room, quiet study area, reception and safe offices
FOR SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP
The Science Museum Research Centre is a beautiful, light-activated environment. It has become an inspiring space to read, retrieve and study materials archived both physically and digitally by the Science Museum.
The focal point is the double-height glass facade, lined with a double-layered perforated screen. This ‘canopy’ is carefully cut with thousands of small, square openings to create a dappled lighting effect for the interior as the sun moves across the sky.
A WORLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENT FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH
The Research Centre occupies the lower ground, ground and mezzanine levels of the Science Museum’s Wellcome Wolfson Building. It includes a new entrance, a staff office and the library.
The entry to the Research Centre is accessed through a new reception, down a half flight of steps or adjacent lift. On arrival to the lower ground floor, a compact space provides a moment to pause. The library is entered via an oak portal to the right.
A NEW IDENTITY
The research canopy can be seen through the glazing to the courtyard, lit at night it signifies the important new function brought to the Science Museum.
LIKE SITTING UNDER A TREE
Coffey Architects conceived the Library as a canopy of filtered light under which research, reading and contemplation take place - this thought was inspired by the story of Newton sitting under a tree as an apple falls on his head. Double layered perforated panels in the Reading Room reduce glare and direct solar gain while creating dappled light that recalls being under a canopy of trees.
SCIENCE AS INSPIRATION
The cutting of the steel sheets are inspired by the perforated cards that controlled the Jacquard looms – an important conceptual precursor to the development of computing.
A WARM LANDSCAPE FOR RESEARCH
The library is entered through an oak portal. Passing through this portal the atmosphere changes. Bathed with dappled light like tree tops of filtered light under which research, reading and contemplation take place Below the canopy the activities discreetly filter to and from the central Reading Room and there is a quiet buzz of work. The mezzanine contains the staff areas while below the mezzanine, an oak lined Research Bar, Quiet Study Area, a Rare Book Viewing Area and the Help Desk are located amongst the main bookcases. The bookcases create a warm and welcoming landscape for research.
“Coffey Architects has delivered a sensitive, beautiful and timeless library, which will allow visitors to enjoy our archive and print collection for generations to come.”
– Anna Dejean, Head of Masterplan Projects, Science Museum Group
INVESTIGATIONS AT ALL LEVELS
The design process included numerous model studies to investigate the overall concept as well as the details such as the perforated façade panels.
LOCATION
London
SIZE
6,000 sqft
STATUS
Completed in 2016
CLIENT
Science Museum Group
AWARDS
/ Surface Design Award - won
/ Civic Trust Award - regional finalist
/ RIBA London Award - won
/ Lighting Design Award - shortlisted
/ AJ Retrofit Award - shortlisted