Ashmolean
Museum

 

Client: Ashmolean Museum
Project Type: Museum Shop
Location: Oxford

Background:

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, in Oxford, Britain’s first public museum, founded in 1683 boasts a world-famous collection ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. With some of the UK’s oldest and finest preserved sculptures and the internationally renowned Coin Room, it houses thousands of unique and beautiful elements.

We were tasked with creating a retail area that enhances the visitor experience by creating a bright, open space. The concept aimed to highlight the products while preserving the beauty of each piece, immersing visitors in history and culture.

Background:

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, in Oxford, Britain’s first public museum, founded in 1683 boasts a world-famous collection ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. With some of the UK’s oldest and finest preserved sculptures and the internationally renowned Coin Room, it houses thousands of unique and beautiful elements.

We were tasked with creating a retail area that enhances the visitor experience by creating a bright, open space. The concept aimed to highlight the products while preserving the beauty of each piece, immersing visitors in history and culture.

Unique Features:

Our expert joiners meticulously executed the client’s design requirements, crafting an elegant and functional space, with a light and airy concept. The layout encourages natural flow and an engaging shopping experience. We utilised light-coloured wood finishes to establish a bright atmosphere that allows visitors to focus on the products.

The design includes multiple zones within the retail space, enabling customers to navigate while enjoying the inviting cultural ambiance. Bespoke display units were created to showcase gifts and prints, encouraging exploration and purchase. Our joinery blends seamlessly with the museum’s aesthetic, creating a cohesive feel throughout.

Techniques:

We combined precision craftsmanship with modern finishing techniques to deliver a light and airy concept centred on the products.

Specialist Joinery

Custom display units and shelving were crafted to align with the museum’s aesthetics, ensuring a functional retail space. Each element was constructed for durability and functionality, featuring a refined and elegant finish.

CNC Cutting

Advanced CNC cutting skills and technology were employed to ensure consistency across the various elements. Our CNC’s created a refined, high-end retail space that retains the museum’s historical charm while enhancing its modern retail presence.

CNC Design

Our team played a crucial role in crafting the Ashmolean Museum’s vision. Through merging expert joinery techniques with CNC design, we created a light and open retail space. The modern clean lines and simplistic yet contemporary concept make the retail space inviting and functional, enhancing both the products and the overall visitor experience.