Kim Wilkie and Purcell also worked on approved plans
London鈥檚 Natural History Museum has won planning approval to transform its grounds, reduce queues and 鈥渙pen up the museum to nature鈥�.
The Niall McLaughlin and Kim Wilkie-deisgned project will see gardens extended around the museum and exhibits and attractions brought into the outside space, including a bronze cast of Dippy, the museum鈥檚 famous diplodocus sculpture. Environment consultants estimate biodiversity in the grounds will improve by up to 11%.
A new public square at the corner of Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road will be joined by a below-grade cloister, introducing a new entrance to the site from the South Kensington pedestrian tunnel which leads from the Tube to several of the area鈥檚 museums.
In the eastern grounds, a geological timeline filled with ancient plants like ferns and cycads will house Dippy. Level access will be created for the first time at the grade I museum鈥檚 main entrance.
The western grounds will be relandscaped to provide an enlarged wildlife garden and will also lead to a new third entrance. A new nature and science activity centre for children will also be created.
McLaughlin and Wilkie were selected for the project following a design competition in 2014 that attracted more than 40 entries. They beat a shortlist that included Stanton Williams and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
Purcell is heritage consultant.
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