The Gilbert Collection, V&A.

Refurbishment of permanent galleries, 2008

Gallery: 70-73, V&A

Budget: £900’000

Role: Lead Designer from concept to completion

Curator: Tessa Murdoch

Project Manager/QS: V&A 

Graphic Design: Nadine Fleisher, V&A

Lighting Designer: DHA

Build Contractor: Coniston

The redisplay of the superb collection of gold, silver,  micro-mosaics, Pietre Dure and gold boxes from The Gilbert Collection. The brief was to create an elegant backdrop for various types of objects from small-scale jewel-like snuff boxes to open display tables. The large wall cases refer to safes which have been opened to the visitors. The strong yellow walls were taken from a pigment of ceramic wall decoration in an adjacent Gallery. A key requirement of the brief was to remove the existing steps and instead accommodate a change of level accessible to all.