We designed an integral part of the new visitor experience, that we proposed, is the mapping of a new visitor flow system that gently promotes multiple routes through the museum. Simple concepts such as, single entrance and exit, streamlining queue activity, and providing relevant information at key moments along the user journey, underpin the new approach that the museum have adopted.

Our re-design has been applied to both internal and external signage, creating an aesthetic communion between the different elements, which help conform the museum’s wayfinding. The listed nature of the idiosyncratic house-museum, which is maintained almost exactly as Sir John Soane left it, is a key challenge to solve through design. We created signage solutions that are either free-standing, or attached in a non-invasive way.

 “We are looking forward to ‘opening up the Soane’ this September with a considered and sensitive visitor flow strategy, and newly improved signage created by a design team that took the time to understand the nature of the organisation, the building and its history. Thomas.Matthews have helped us deliver these strategic finishing touches and have been a pleasure to work with”.

Bruce Boucher
Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum