refurbishment, extension and exhibition project. Every square metre of the Museum has
been changed, the operations restructured and the exhibition and collecting policies
reviewed and renewed. The vision behind the project has been to create a theatre for the public understanding of transport in the complex life of London, past, present and future, and to redefine the narrative history museum as a forum for learning and debate about the past, present & future.
The 1871 Flower Market has been restored and returned to natural ventilation. Photo-voltaic generating slates have been installed on its roof which will provide up to 20% of Museum's gross power load in summer months. A high level floor increases display space by 20% enabling 300% more objects to be displayed, including paper and other sensitive items, such as 120 original posters, which could not have been shown safely in the previous museum for conservation reasons.
The new Museum moves the idea of the transport museum a long way from its static, technologically-focused archetype. It is a museum of iconic objects and stories, woven into a new narrative: the social history of London and how transport has enabled and responded to the viability and vitality of this world city. The displays highlight how the look and feel of London has been shaped by transport design – through posters, architecture, vehicles, the Underground Map, the famous Johnston typeface. The World City Gallery is an installation of user-generated sights and sounds of journeys in six world cities: New York, Paris, Delhi, Tokyo, Shanghai and London.
London Transport Museum aspires to be a centre for debate about transport futures and the environment. 'Green Futures' is an interactive space in the Museum which allows the visitor to explore different scenarios for London's future, according to how we manage our carbon footprint, showing how the individual choices we make today could affect the rate of future climate change.
The displays will be a platform for a wide range of exciting public and educational programmes - based on topics such as heritage, design, world cities, London's future, and the transport debate – supported by outstanding new facilities: the Cubic Theatre, a 120-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art projection and sound facilities, new learning spaces, under-fives play area, and an interactive space for 8-12 year-olds. The new Upper Deck cafe transforms into an evening bar offering transport themed cocktails and great views of the Piazza.
Some of your comments:
A truly delightful and fast-paced excursion highlighting with wit and wisdom the iconic machines and their venues with which Londoners have for centuries led the world in commerce, transport and your own particular process of imparting ‘civilisation’ on the remainder of the world. Well and properly done!
Dwight Metcalfe, Salinas, California
From the moment I set foot in the lift to begin my visit, I felt like I was taking a trip back in time! The museum covers the rich history of London's bustling transport network from the stagecoaches to the upgraded Underground trains to a vision for the future. In particular, I enjoyed the hands-on nature of the museum such as the Tube driver simulators. I so thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the refurbished museum that I have been back twice since - and brought more people along to enjoy the unique experience offered by the London Transport Museum.
Tim Mithen, London
A wonderful museum which works on so many different levels. It allows you to experience the social history of London through its developing transport networks. It is a wonderful monument to the posters artists of the 1920s and 1930s, an inspiration to designers and a reminder to marketeers like myself of how corporate identity was successfully used in the1020s and 1930s under Frank Pick. And, of course, there's everything for the transport anorak! The refurbishment has allowed so much more to be accessible: things which up to now have been stashed away in the archive. I've been three times since it reopened in November!
Nik Oakley (Ms), London
I went to the Transport Museum last week, and it was marvellous! Really interesting and detailed exhibits, great for both transport geeks and those with a passing interest in transport! A fascinating history of London that I would highly recommend others go to see!
Katie Hill, Bristol
As someone who has used, and loved, London Transport all my life I believe that the new LT Museum at last does justice to this great system. Completely underappreciated and poorly regarded, now Londoners and visitors alike have the opportunity to understand its place in our history and in London's cultural identity. Sitting on one of the tube carriages brought back all those journeys to school in a flash, apart from the smoking carriages! We will be visiting often.
Deirdre Yager, London
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