The much-anticipated opening date for the reimagined Burrell Collection has been revealed. The museum will re-open on March 29th 2022 – after a multi-year refurb.
The Burrell Collection first opened in 1983. It houses one of the world’s finest collections of fine art, including medieval stained glass, ancient Chinese ceramics, Islamic carpets and French paintings, all generously gifted to the city of Glasgow by Sir William Burrell. The building itself, a widely celebrated example of modernist architecture, sits in the heart of Pollock Country Park. But more than 30 years after its original opening, the Burrell Collection had run into problems.
Event Communications, the leading exhibitions and experience design agency, were appointed by Glasgow Life in 2014 to create a vision for a full refresh of the museum. They brought together a consultant team of architects, engineers, access consultants and audience specialists to create a powerful and wide ranging masterplan. This centred on a bold and ambitious vision – to make The Burrell one of the most accessible fine and decorative arts museum in the world.
The Burrell Collection is nestled in the heart of Glasgow’s Pollock Country Park
Event’s approach took inspiration from the country park setting and the iconic architecture. The masterplan proposed new entrances and connectivity with the outdoors, a 35% increase in gallery spaces on three levels, a new central open core that connects those levels, a subtle but engaging set of new perspectives on the collections, a raft of opportunities for communities and groups to use the spaces and a radical overhaul of the building envelope and services. This plan supported a number of funding applications and was the basis of tenders for the architecture and exhibition design.
Event went on to win the contract to design and deliver the exhibitions in 2016. Accessibility has been at the heart of Event’s approach for the exhibition – both in terms of spatial configuration, content and interpretation. Due to spacing limitations, only 20% of the collection had previously been on display. However by opening up two new floors of gallery space, Event has been able to make over 55% of collections accessible. Interpretation includes digital elements designed for younger audiences, helping them to engage in the collections in new ways. “We have given visitors new opportunities to enjoy and fresh ways to appreciate the Collection, in harmony with The Burrell’s seminal architecture and natural setting,” Esther Dugdale, Creative Director at Event.
Aesthetics and craftsmanship were key, responding to the qualities of the original architecture. Phaedra Corrigan, lead designer on the project, explained that Event designed the exhibits in the iconic north gallery to be framed by the museum’s architecture and surroundings: ‘a series of windows give views out of the building, framing the objects to create moments of calm, where the eyes can rest between close inspection of artefacts. As the light changes outside, spilling into the interior space, the collections become animated’.
The Burrell Collection is often regarded as one of the most spectacular and generous gifts given to a city
The redesigned galleries are designed to be sustainable and timeless. Commenting on Event’s goals ahead of the museum launch, Phil Greene, technical designer of the project, said: “Sustainability is key to the museum’s transformation. The elegant new display system will protect the Collection, whilst providing the flexibility to move and reinterpret objects for decades to come.”
This marks the third time that Event have worked on Glasgow’s largest and most visited cultural institutions. Their long-standing partnership with Glasgow includes the full redesign Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery exhibitions and the masterplan and exhibitions at the Riverside Museum. These museums have sat at the forefront of Glasgow’s decades-long cultural regeneration, and will now be part of the city’s post-Covid revival.
Video teases the offerings at the Burrell Collection
