Earth Galleries Atrium
Natural History Museum, London, UKDate: 1995-1996
Fit-out Budget: £1.125million
Neal Potter was choosen to design the inspirational atrium at the old Geology Museum which was being reconfigured in 1995 as the Earth Galleries of the Natural History Museum. The brief was to inspire visitors as to the power and relevance of earth sciences and to move them to the upper floors of the Museum.
The solution came by setting the Earth in Space: Cladding the walls with re-cycled slate and sand-blasting the major stars and all the planets into the slate surface. The central feature is a 10m diameter globe made up from metal plates and remote sensing images. An escalator draws people form the ground floor through 'the centre of the Earth' and into the upper galleries.
To the foreground, iconic sculptures show how previous generations have perceived the Earth's processes. The Museum's prime collection of specimens is exhibited in the walls and adjacent to the figures.
To the foreground, iconic sculptures show how previous generations have perceived the Earth's processes. The Museum's prime collection of specimens is exhibited in the walls and adjacent to the figures.
The Ecology Gallery
Natural History Museum, London, UKDate: 1990-91
Fit out Budget: £1.8million
In 1990 Neal Potter was asked to head up the design team for the proposed Ecology Gallery at the Natural History Museum. His brief was to put the sluggish project on fast-track and to add some 'big' ideas that would be attractive to sponsors and scientists as well as to museum visitors.
The gallery was opened by HRH The Princess of Wales in 1991 and set the standard for the upgrading of the Natural History Museum during the 1990's.
The quadrascope (below) is at the centre of the gallery. It tells the story of the Earth's water cycle.
The gallery was opened by HRH The Princess of Wales in 1991 and set the standard for the upgrading of the Natural History Museum during the 1990's.
The quadrascope (below) is at the centre of the gallery. It tells the story of the Earth's water cycle.
