WHY’s gallery planning strategy was guided by a close attention to the history of the building and the mission of the institution. Consistent collaboration with museum staff, trustees, and multiple other stakeholders was crucial to understanding the context of the new galleries, developing a vision for the museum as it expands its programming and welcomes new audiences. The reconfiguration of the existing galleries took place in stages so as not to disrupt the visitor experience, a process enabled by WHY’s strategy of acupuncture architecture. Rather than imposing a dramatic “facelift,” acupuncture architecture allows for hyper-localized iterative interventions over a period of time; the relationship between different spaces is gradually healed from the inside out, reintroducing energy and flow to the structure as a whole.

The development of this gallery provided a unique opportunity for the institution to redefine how ancient art is both displayed and conserved. Display casework was designed to be as minimal and transparent as possible while at the same time being engineered to strict security and conservation standards. Interactive displays at key objects were incorporated into the casework and gallery design to provide visitors with further insight into ancient art and the conservation process.

A modern day kunstkammer, intended for the enjoyment of everyone, is the originating image for this gallery. The galleries are designed as a simple and amenable environment so each art object could genuinely tell its story. The space design attempts to balance between an open grand space where visitors find easy orientation within the museums European collection and intimate spaces that welcome people to examine specific objects more closely.