Kim Wilkie and Purcell also worked on approved plans

Niall McLaughlin Architects and Kim Wilkie - Natural History Museum in South Kensington

Niall McLaughlin Architects and Kim Wilkie - Natural History Museum in South Kensington - below-grade cloister

 

London’s Natural History Museum has won planning approval to transform its grounds, reduce queues and “open up the museum to nature”.

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’s famous diplodocus sculpture. Environment consultants estimate biodiversity in the grounds will improve by up to 11%.

Niall McLaughlin Architects and Kim Wilkie - Natural History Museum in South Kensington

Niall McLaughlin Architects and Kim Wilkie - Natural History Museum - plan

 

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’s 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’s 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.

Niall McLaughlin Architects and Kim Wilkie - Natural History Museum in South Kensington

Niall McLaughlin Architects and Kim Wilkie - Natural History Museum in South Kensington - Dippy and the eastern grounds