A primary goal of the project was to put the whole of the second and first floors back into public use, displaying the Galleries’ permanent collections and housing temporary exhibitions.
Throughout the building, temporary partitions, lowered ceilings and window blockings have, where practically possible, been carefully removed to allow the robust spaces to work as originally intended and new, ramped, legible mezzanine floors have been inserted along the rear of the building. Display space has been increased by over 40%.
A new glazed lift and two new openings on either side of the existing entrance vestibule at ground floor level have been formed so as to increase visibility and encourage visitor flow to the contemporary galleries, seminar room, café and shop.
Externally, the principal effect has been the completion of the programme of restoration of the stonework and windows.