Redman Design transformed the Grade II* listed Leeds Institute building, creating a new museum for Leeds with over 1,800 square metres of displays.

The extensive displays include objects from the natural history, Egyptian, Greek, ethnographic, archaeology, geology, costume, furniture, textiles, social history, ceramics, decorative and fine art collections. These are displayed effectively to maximise their potential to engage and delight and inform audiences, whilst providing a safe environment for the objects themselves.

Designed by Cuthbert Broderick, the building is Grade II* listed. Built as the Leeds Mechanics Institute it was more recently used as the Civic Theatre and has long been part of the city’s cultural map. Our design philosophy sought to create a legible and coherent arrangement of interpretative spaces; to awaken and reveal the hidden building whilst also creating spaces suitable for modern interpretation and display. Whilst some spaces were identified as key elements in the conservation of the building, in others there was more scope to meet the requirements of their new use. The complex nature of the building and difficulties of integrating modern services into a Victorian shell have required us to work closely with the building design team to find practical and elegant solutions to a wide range of problems. In sensitive areas we were careful to ensure that the original building could be appreciated and enjoyed.

The Life on Earth gallery uses the museum’s impressive natural science collection both geological and biological to look at biodiversity in Leeds and the world. From evolution and food webs to the challenges facing the natural world today and the uses to which we put plants and animals. The gallery explores nature’s wonderful range and discusses how we can be involved in sustaining it.

The Leeds Story gallery are the physical development of the city and the continual migrations of people into the area. Wherever possible these stories are told through first-hand testimony as well as museum objects. Recurring themes in the human story are: a place to live; improving lives; childhood and making a living.

The Collectors’ Cabinet gallery, located in what was originally the library, is a good example of how the client and the exhibition and building design teams worked together creatively. One of the few spaces left intact by previous use of the building, this has become a gallery which explores the concept of collecting and looks at how the city’s collections were established by local collectors. The sensitive insertion of modern displays has ensured that whilst the gallery achieves its interpretive aims and objectives it is also possible to appreciate it as a historic architectural space.

Families are a key target audience and the displays incorporate a range of exhibits designed to stimulate interaction and engagement.

Wayfinding includes gallery titles and introductions with printed guides available outside each gallery space.