The Wordsworth Trust has announced two appointments for its latest ambitious project, Reimagining Wordsworth – architect and interpretation designer
The project, made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund, involves the transformation of Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum ahead of the poet’s 250th birthday in 2020. Two significant appointments have been revealed for the development phase.
The Reimagining Wordsworth architect will be conservation and heritage experts Purcell, led by partner Robert Chambers. The practice has considerable expertise in the conservation of sensitive buildings and monuments, with an emphasis on sustainability and legacy.
“We are delighted to have been appointed to help the Wordsworth Trust realise their vision for Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum,” Chambers said.
Reimagining Wordsworth architect to deliver inspiring new facilities
They will be looking to draw together the rich experiences of the internationally significant site, enhance the visitor experience and engage new audiences. The Trust hope that delivering these new facilities will help inspire a new generation to engage with Wordsworth’s revolutionary words and themes.
Nissen Richards Studio have been appointed as interpretation planner and designer, with a team led by director Pippa Nissen. Recent projects include the five star Colour and Vision exhibition at the Natural History Museum, and the studio also acted as the lead consultant for ‘You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970’, which opened in September 2016 at the V&A.
Over the next twelve months they will work closely with the Trust to create a clear and exciting narrative around William Wordsworth, identifying the key themes and stories associated with the site and the surrounding landscape.
“We are extremely excited to be working on this gem of a project,” commented Nissen. “It includes different elements across the site, including the extraordinarily beautiful landscape and its relationship to the buildings as well as the poetry, as part of the experience.
“The story of Reimagining Wordsworth is multi-layered, and we need to find a coherent voice to bring together a rich and complex subject.”
Additional £1m needed to realise project
The appointments mark the start of a year-long period of development and consultation that will incorporate feedback from the Trust’s existing and target audiences, as well as stakeholders and partners.
“After many years of planning, we were delighted to secure a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to ‘Reimagine’ Wordsworth in time for the poet’s 250th birthday in 2020,” added Michael McGregor, director of the Wordsworth Trust.
“The appointment of Purcell and Nissen Richards sees us move into an exciting new phase. Over the next 12 months we will work with them to explore how our site and our activities can develop, to ensure that as many people as possible can be part of, and can benefit from, this exciting project.”
The Reimagining Wordsworth project will incorporate two distinct elements. The first is the transformation of Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum, which will be “sensitively enhanced” to offer a more integrated and stimulating visitor experience.
Second is the reinterpretation of the manuscripts and collection housed on site, leading to a fresh understanding of Wordsworth’s importance and cultural legacy. The Trust will draw on the significant expertise of their existing team, Trustees and stakeholders, along with a team of consultants, to pioneer multi-sensory and multimedia approaches to the interpretation to bring it to a modern audience.
The Wordsworth Trust are currently fundraising to bring in the final £1 million needed to make the project a reality.
