Holmes Wood deliver wayfinding and donor recognition design at the newly opened National Portrait Gallery

Holmes Wood have delivered wayfinding and donor recognition design in support of a major transformation project at London’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG).

The project, titled Inspiring People, comprises a complete re-presentation of the Gallery’s Collection and significant building refurbishment with a new entrance and forecourt, new public spaces, and a new Learning Centre.

The architectural transformation – led by Jamie Fobert Architects in partnership with conservation architects, Purcell– sought to maximise the opportunities of the 1896 Grade 1 listed building and its subsequent adaptions. The new scheme aims to be more welcoming and more connected by creating vistas, introducing natural light and revealing the details of the historic fabric.

Holmes Wood worked closely with NPG and Jamie Fobert Architects to develop a scheme that responds to the building and seeks to improve the overall flow and experience. The team designed new arrivals, applying a typeface found in historic inscriptions within the building. New NPG signs, engraved into the Portland stone façades, welcome visitors to the refreshed Gallery.

From the entrance experience onwards, the thinking behind Holmes Wood’s scheme was to let the artwork take centre stage. The team achieved this by simplifying information and creating a timeless design. Following an extensive audit, Holmes Wood mapped diverse user journeys for all visitor groups, from school parties to shoppers and diners. The findings led to a new level numbering scheme and suites of new pictograms, with increased accessibility to help visitors navigate the historic site.

The wayfinding design scheme takes inspiration from Carlo Scarpa’s Easel. The Scarpa-inspired fixings are made in patinated brass to mimic architectural finishes, while the wayfinding panels are made from PaperStone, a sustainable material constructed from recycled paper that works in harmony with the palette of interpretation designers, Nissen Richards Studio.

Holmes Wood also provided expert signwriting and engaging designs to support the donor-backed mosaic restoration project. The team created patinated brass name plaques, complete with beautiful screws to match the Scarpa fixings, using a modular approach to allow for the addition of future donors.

“Our guiding principle was to create timeless designs that were respectful to art and architecture,” says Helen Cornell, Associate Director at Holmes Wood. “We wanted to deliver something understated, functional, accessible and discrete, while helping to improve visitor footfall and drive opportunities to generate income, thereby safeguarding the future of the National Portrait Gallery.”