Holburne Museum, Bath : Extension by Eric Parry

29 Nov 2007 Holburne Museum extension revised designs receive planning consent Nov 2007 Resubmitted Sep 2007 with more contextual colours and slight height reduction: Holburne Museum gets the go ahead A landmark decision in Bath last night saw Eric Parry Architects’ extension to the Holburne Museum of Art receive planning consent. The scheme, which will secure the future of this important museum, was resubmitted in September following a surprise initial refusal. In response to some of the concerns expressed the practice made some amendments to the design, with an overall reduction in height of around a metre, a reduction in the size of the reflecting pool in the surrounding gardens and a change in the colour of the ceramic. A new window overlooking the garden has also been introduced. Eric Parry, Principal of Eric Parry Architects commented: “We are all absolutely thrilled that consent has been won, this is a major achievement for both the practice and the Holburne Museum. It hasn’t been an easy process but last night’s decision marks a key turning point in the history of the Museum.” Alexander Sturgis, Director of the Holburne Museum said: “This is a wonderful decision for the future of the Holburne Museum. Our current building, in its extraordinary site, is one of our great assets but it is in desperate need of repair and too small for all we need and wish to do. Eric Parry’s beautiful extension will provide more space for every aspect of our activity from exhibitions to education but the project will also allow us to restore the existing building and help the Holburne fulfil its exceptional potential. We are thrilled that the committee’s decision will enable us to continue to work towards this goal”. David Posnett, Chairman of the Trustees added: “We have been working to secure the future of the Holburne Museum for the last seven years and the restoration and expansion of the Museum are essential for its survival. We now have the plans in place, with a jewel-like extension designed by one of the country’s best architects, which will allow the museum to thrive.“ The three-storey extension will provide an extra 800 square metres of gallery space to house the collection which has grown by some 2,000 exhibits since the Museum opened in 1916. It will transform the visitor’s experience with improved facilities, a lift which will (for the first time) allow the Museum to be fully accessible to all, and a garden café opening onto the park. The project will reunite the historic Sydney gardens with the city by recreating the clear axis between Great Pulteney Street at one end and the gardens at the other. Holburne Museum Bath building image / information from Eric Parry Architects 291107 2 May 2007 A new vision for the Holburne Museum, Bath Holburne Museum CGI : image by Smoothe from Eric Parry Architects Eric Parry Architects has designed a new extension to the Holburne Museum of Art in Bath. The design makes bold use of ceramic, mirroring the permanent collection of the Museum, much of which will be on display in the new gallery space created by the extension. The extension is strikingly configured in ceramic and glass, complementing the original Grade 1 Listed building and sympathetic to the museum’s collection of paintings and decorative arts. The new development provides an extra 800 square metres of gallery space in addition to a garden café, educational and other visitor facilities. The project will reunite the historic Sydney gardens with the city by recreating the clear axis between Great Pultney Street at one end and the gardens at the other. EPA has an enviable track record working with historic buildings: they are currently working on the redevelopment of St-Martin-in-the-fields in Trafalgar Square, London and the practice has recently completed a new extension to Old Wardour House, Wiltshire. Holburne Museum Bath Building PR from Eric Parry Architects 020507