Design team sought for Burrell Collection overhaul

Exhibition designers are needed for a refurbishment of the 9,000-piece Glasgow fine art collection.

 

The Burrell Collection Building, image by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
The Burrell Collection Building, image by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

An exhibition design team is being sought to work on the redevelopment of the Burrell Collection – a Glasgow art collection that boasts more than 9,000 historic objects.

The Burrell Collection was put together by shipping magnate and art collector Sir William Burrell. He donated the collection to the city of Glasgow in 1944.

Among the objects contained in the collection are medieval stained glass and tapestries, Chinese antiques and one of the largest assemblies of medieval stained glass in the world.

Since 1983 the collection has been housed in a purpose-built museum in Pollok Country Park, south Glasgow.

Earlier this year, Glasgow City Council approved plans to refurbish and redisplay the collection.

The redevelopment will see more than 90% of the collection put on display, with basement stores opened to the public and a new central core installed, which the council says will increase access to the collection.

The café and retail areas will also be overhauled and a new civic events space will be created outside the building.

The council says the work – which could cost up to £66 million – is urgently needed, with water ingress in the current gallery threatening the collection.

During the work, some of the Burrell Collection will be displayed at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, while other objects will be sent on an international tour, to raise awareness of the collection.

The council is seeking an exhibition design and design management team to work on the project.

It says the work will include 3D exhibition and learning spaces design, design management and contract administration – this is valued at £3 million-£4 million.

The council has issued a tender for the work, with a deadline of 9 September. For more information and to apply, visit ted.europa.eu.

Redevelopment work is set to begin next year, with the aim of completing in 2019.

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