Kirkintilloch Industrial Heritage Centre
East Dunbartonshire Council
This is a new Heritage centre produced within a refurbished Edwardian Town Hall in Kirkintilloch, nr Glasgow. It was a grant assisted project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and East Dunbartonshire Council.
Far Post Design were responsible for the interpretation master plan, concept design and the project management of production, build and installation aspects of the project working closely with the Michael Laird architects who were responsible for the historic architectural elements of the project. All aspects of the project required planning consent to grade I and II listed status.
The implementation of the project involved creating a multi-layered interpretive exhibition. This is hands on with a number of simple interactives, along with a number of sophisticated audio-visual interactives, including archival touchscreens and touch tables. The aim of the interpretation was to appeal to schools and those interested in later life learning, both outcomes were achieved.
In addition to this, a fully fitted classroom was provided with the latest data requirements including Wi-Fi and audio-visual projection network. The lower level which was the original theatre space includes an introduction to the heritage story as well as providing a full multi-use facility which includes provision of theatrical lighting and sound equipment.
Inside the Exhibit
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Bournemouth City Council
Far Post Design were responsible for the design, interpretation, and installation of three new display galleries, Mikado Room housing the Japanese collection, The Yellow Room reflecting the diverse art collection of Merton Russell-Cotes as well as recreating Annie Russell-Cotes bedroom and the Red Room a recreation of Merton’s bedroom.
This required the specialist design and fabrication of new exhibit cases all of which had to be in keeping with the listed interior of the museum as well as being constructed to the required museum conservation and security standards. All cases had to free stand and no item could be secured to the existing internal building structure.
The display cases also had to have on display storage of some of the more unique exhibits. These are accessed via secure drawers with integral LED lighting. All exhibits required individual bespoke mounts.
We also designed and produced all the graphics, assisted with the interior design and fit out and produced all the interactive audio-visual touchscreens and audio. This required development of content and hardware. A further part of our role was to research and install appropriate lighting solutions to illuminate the hand painted ceilings ensuring that the maximum allowable light levels were not exceeded. This culminated in a concealed LED lighting rig mounted and concealed within the high-level plate rack creating the appropriate atmosphere.
Inside the Exhibit
Postbridge Visitor Centre
Dartmoor National Park Authority
Far Post Design were responsible for the design, interpretation, build and installation of a new gallery display within the new Postbridge Visitor Centre extension.
The project tells the story of Dartmoor Life, Death and Landscape. Primarily through the Bronze Age incorporating the burial find on Whitehorse Hill. It included interpretation graphic panels, with integrated audio-visual elements and the presentation of burial find exhibits within approved conservation grade display cases.
The direction was to provide a multi-layered interpretation approach that allowed for in depth discovery, hands on activities allowing for sensory interaction and exhibit games both using audio visual and hands on elements.
The general feel and atmosphere of the Moor and man’s role in it was to be retained using timber, thatch and stone materials and the use of stylised re-construction of a Bronze Age roundhouse.
Inside the Exhibit
Bond in Motion
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and EON Productions
We were tasked with creating an exhibition within a small display area at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu that would convey the essence of James Bond in motion through the content of the recently completed movie No Time To Die.
This required 10 vehicles, a glider and the iconic animated DB5 Aston Martin to be displayed along with numerous gadgets, clothing and accessories worn and used by the actors. Some of these needed secure displays.
The dramatic effect to the exhibition was achieved by mounting the glider at high level, creating an immersive sound tunnel with detail object display, utilizing large screen displays, suspended large format graphics, and using interactive touchscreen vehicle captions. These allowed visitors to explore specifications, find out about film stunts and access unique film clips.
Inside the Exhibit
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum
North Kesteven District Council
A small-scale exhibition with a restricted budget and sustainability at its core. Our task was to revive the existing interpretation. This we achieved by re-planning the layout and improving the circulation route. All existing display cases and interactives were re-used and supplemented with new graphics and a new large format projection was added to create a dynamic back drop to the existing balloon basket along with adding some very simple hands-on interactive items.
We also developed a new cartoon character which illuminates the interpretation and engages with younger visitors. It is also being used in promotional print and media with direct links from the exhibition to websites and other local museum attractions.
Inside the Exhibit
Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum
South West Lakes Trust & Cornwall County Council
Following a successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid, the whole of the Wheal Martyn site has been revitalized with new displays across a number of historic buildings.
The task was to tell the story of China Clay production within this World Heritage Site from its inception through to its heyday in the last century and on to the production in today’s modern world. This involved presenting and interpreting the differing stages of production and bringing to the fore the stories of the people behind this vital Cornish industry.
Far Post Design carried out all the interpretation design and specification and produced all the new audio-visual elements including animated projections, large screen film and interactive touchscreens.
Inside the Exhibit
Luxulyan Valley
South West Lakes Trust & Cornwall County Council
Within the Luxulyan Valley not far from St. Austell, Cornwall is a unique industrial landscape formed from past endeavours. This story of architectural wonders, enhancement of waterpower, local work force and giant historical figures still leaves a footprint today.
Several external interpretation features have been designed and developed by Far Post Design to illustrate the Valley’s unique heritage which can be discovered whilst walking the revived trails in the landscape.
Inside the Exhibit
Warnham local Nature Reserve
Friends of Warnham Local Nature Reserve & Horsham District Council
This very popular location which includes a large pond dating back to the English Civil War and a diverse natural history habitat is home to a variety of flora and fauna required internal and external interpretation.
A new visitors building was created by the local authority and the landscape trails and duckboard routes were revived. A number of new bird hides were created including within the new building. Far Post Design developed, produced and installed a design solution which ensured interpretive graphic continuity both inside and out. Taking the Reserves established logo as a point of reference structural shapes and styles were created for the external interpretation using materials from sustainable and reclaimed sources. Illustrations were cut into the interpretation supports and back painted to create pictorial interpretation.
This same approach is continued with the internal interpretation which also contains interactive elements which include games linked to the Reserve and the chance to explore the insect world through a digital microscope. We also designed and printed information leaflets for the Reserve as well as creating the new visitor centre signage.
Inside the Exhibit
Cricklepit Mill
Devon Wildlife Trust
The reception to Devon Wildlife Trusts headquarters building, Cricklepit Mill, in Exeter was designed and remodelled by Far Post Design. This included creating suspended canvas banner graphics in the reception along with a new reception desk complete with branded fascia, achieved by laser cutting the timber front panel and back lighting it.
Externally new gate fronts were installed to the car park including laser cut back filled illustrations with the logo. Along with this new branding, we added to the existing sign panels ensuring the project was carried out in a cost effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Inside the Exhibit
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Far Post Design were responsible for the design and interpretation implementation at the National Motor Museum, a building of architectural recognition set within the grounds of Palace House, the seat of the Montagu family.
This was a large project divided into several display zones which were implemented over a 5-year period. The first stage of this project required a masterplan to be developed. This involved a 6-month process of consultation, workshops, exhibit audit and the production of a full concept design. The detail design and installation were implemented in a series of managed phases. This was necessary as the museum has had to stay open to visitors throughout.
The brief was to create substantially more display area, improve and increase accessibility to the substantial film archive and exhibits to enable considerably more of the museum’s collection to be on permanent display. This has been achieved with the installation of a new mezzanine structure which houses a new Land Speed Record experience incorporating the museum’s iconic vehicles. To improve circulation and put vehicle displays in more relevant context, the main entrance to the museum was significantly re-modelled.
Overall provision for vehicle display space has been greatly improved and display and interpretation enhanced by integrating audio visual exhibits that put vehicles and their eras in context. This allows for more in-depth exploration of archive film, documents, and photographs.
The project is now complete with all the structural and architectural works finished. Far Post Design were responsible for the interpretation build, audio-visual, management and instruction of structural engineers and lighting consultants, project management and budget management.
Inside the Exhibit
