Exploiting the full potential
of the building provides the museum with additional space to display the
entire collection, including the hitherto unseen Reserve Collection. A
central focus for the building was created by glazing over the courtyard
to form a sculpture court and restaurant. Technically challenging underpinning
and full excavation of the basement yielded space for the new galleries
and educational facilities including a lecture theatre, extensive archive
space and the only open-access museum library in London. The existing
galleries remained open to the public throughout construction. Prince
Charles, the Prince of Wales, opened the new facilities in June 2000 on
the Centenary of the Collection's bequest to the nation.
The
New York Times
The Galleries of London Seen with Fresh EyesGiles
Worsley
7 Jan 01
The
New York Times
An American expatriate sheds light on LondonTracie
Rozhon
5 April 01
Royal Academy
Magazine
New
Faces
Gillian
Darley
Summer 00
Building
Design
Rick'll
fix it
Catherine
Croft
2 June 00
Building
Art
explosion
Martin
Spring
26 May 00
The
Art Newspaper
London's
most popular museum architect - Rick Mather times three
Cristina
Ruiz, Giulia Ajmone
& Martin Bailey
& Martin Bailey
May 97
Building
Design
Blowing
the dust of a hidden jewel
Lee
Mallett
6 May 95
The
Spectator
London's
new Chambers of Horror and three success stories
Paul
Johnson
20 Jan 01