CHAIN BRIDGE FORGE
MUSEUM EXHIBITION, 2011
Project Overview
The project, a local community effort, aimed at turning the Spalding Smithy into a living museum. It’s main objectives were to create a living Forge that would tell the story of the Blacksmith Workshop and its place in the community, as well as to offer an educational resource for schools and potential blacksmiths. Three different design options were presented to the client, that while taking into consideration the nature of the project and the design brief specifications, offered different interpretation approaches. Parts of the proposals are currently being implemented.
The Building
The building is believed to date from around 1800 and was purpose-built as a blacksmith's forge. It is approximately 12, 35 m. long and 6, 35 m. wide. It is subdivided internally into three spaces, accommodating for a Horse shoeing shed, the Forge and main work area and a two- storey storage space. Not listed by English Heritage, the building it was restored in 1991 and is currently in relatively good condition.
Photos of the building in its original state
Design Proposal
Option I
No alterations have been made to the existing building in this option. The design proposal accommodates for permanent and temporary onsite displays, live forging demonstrations, oral history exhibits, as well as a sales and a office/ storage area.
Floor Plan & Circulation flow
Entrance & Display Area
The old Horse shoeing Shed is turned into an Entrance & Display area. Panels introduce the project and cover the History of the Forge in its 200 years of existence. A museum information & leaflet display holder is incorporated on the panels. Forged details, such as the titles, as well as the leaflets and display holderprovide visual cues to the visitors.
Entrance & Display area, 3D visual
The Workshop main space & Forge Area
This is the museum’s main space and where the live demonstrations take place. A metallic mesh has been placed around the forge to keep visitors from getting too close and protect them from flying sparks during the demonstrations. When the forge is not in use, the mesh folds away, allowing visitors to get closer and freely explore equipment and space. Although the barrier might slightly compromise the authenticity of the workspace, it is considered as absolutely necessary.
The forge maintains the feel of a living workshop. Original scrap pieces of metal, tools and machinery are used as part of the display, telling the story of the blacksmith everyday life and work
This is the museum’s main space and where the live demonstrations take place. A metallic mesh has been placed around the forge to keep visitors from getting too close and protect them from flying sparks during the demonstrations. When the forge is not in use, the mesh folds away, allowing visitors to get closer and freely explore equipment and space. Although the barrier might slightly compromise the authenticity of the workspace, it is considered as absolutely necessary.
The forge maintains the feel of a living workshop. Original scrap pieces of metal, tools and machinery are used as part of the display, telling the story of the blacksmith everyday life and work
The Forge Area where live demonstrations take place, 3D visual
Interactive exhibits, 3D visual
Interactive exhibits for both adults and children are included in the exhibition providing additional information on blacksmithing techniques and tools.
Interactive exhibits for both adults and children are included in the exhibition providing additional information on blacksmithing techniques and tools.
Oral History Exhibits Area & Museum Staff office
The Oral History exhibits are located on the ground floor of a two storey space that used to be the smithy’s storage. Information stands equipped with touch screens and headphones feature oral history audiovisual material. As visitors might chose to spend some time here, benches have been placed in front of the stands. The top floor, not suitable for public use, has been used as museum office and storage space.
The Oral History Area inforstands & the Museum staff office, 3D visual
The Oral History Area (detail), 3D visual
Option II
Option II proposes some changes to the building’s structure that will accommodate better for display needs and enhance the visitor experience in terms of circulation flow and orientation.
Floor Plan & Circulation Flow
Entrance & Display Area
Entrance & DisplayArea, 3D visual
Information panels are placed right next to the entrance, introducing the project upon entry to the museum.
Information panels are placed right next to the entrance, introducing the project upon entry to the museum.
Living Forge & Oral History Infostand, 3D visual
The oral history exhibits are placed nearby, enriching the narrative and progressing the story. Having gained an overview of the smithy’s history and significance in the locality, visitors can move forward and attend the live forging demonstration.
The oral history exhibits are placed nearby, enriching the narrative and progressing the story. Having gained an overview of the smithy’s history and significance in the locality, visitors can move forward and attend the live forging demonstration.
Museum Store & Museum Staff Office Area
Museum Store & Office space, 3D visual
Having secured unobstructed circulation between and direct surveillance of all museum areas it is now possible to place the museum store in the storage area. To increase usable space and improve appearance the steep wooden staircase currently in use, is replaced by a retractable loft ladder. In a more spacious and accordingly designed store area, a variety of merchandise could be available contributing to the museum’s income.
Having secured unobstructed circulation between and direct surveillance of all museum areas it is now possible to place the museum store in the storage area. To increase usable space and improve appearance the steep wooden staircase currently in use, is replaced by a retractable loft ladder. In a more spacious and accordingly designed store area, a variety of merchandise could be available contributing to the museum’s income.
Visit time-plan
The open plan arrangement calls for carefully time-planned visits.
A short talk will introduce visitors to the project. They could then spend some time exploring the first part of the exhibition before the start of a live demonstration, when the noise produced will cause distraction and compromise their experience. Questions and Answers time should be allocated after the demonstration. Offering the opportunity to the public to interact and talk with the blacksmith will lead to two-way communication process that personalizes the experience. Time-planned visits can increase visitor satisfaction while allowing the museum to operate on minimum staff. Moreover, regulating the amount of time visitors spend onsite, the museum might be able to accommodate for a larger number of visitor
A short talk will introduce visitors to the project. They could then spend some time exploring the first part of the exhibition before the start of a live demonstration, when the noise produced will cause distraction and compromise their experience. Questions and Answers time should be allocated after the demonstration. Offering the opportunity to the public to interact and talk with the blacksmith will lead to two-way communication process that personalizes the experience. Time-planned visits can increase visitor satisfaction while allowing the museum to operate on minimum staff. Moreover, regulating the amount of time visitors spend onsite, the museum might be able to accommodate for a larger number of visitor
Time-planning diagram
Option III
Taking into consideration Health and Safety constrains, Option III propose for is a multimedia based approach, where a narrated projection show, enhanced by light and sound effects, will replace the live demonstrations. Health and Safety constrains will be eliminate and the museum will potentially be able to address a wider ranging audience.
Taking into consideration Health and Safety constrains, Option III propose for is a multimedia based approach, where a narrated projection show, enhanced by light and sound effects, will replace the live demonstrations. Health and Safety constrains will be eliminate and the museum will potentially be able to address a wider ranging audience.
Floor Plan & Circulation Flow
Entrance & Display Area, 3D visual
The Horse shoeing shed is enlarged and used as the main display area featuring information panels, oral history exhibits, a touch screen interactive exhibit on tools and techniques and a workbench with tools and objects the audience can handle. Visitors will have access to useful background information that will enable a deeper understanding and appreciation of the audiovisual show that follows. Dividing the Horse shoeing shed from the Forge area in a proof and light sound way is necessary, as projections require sound and light controlled environments.
The Horse shoeing shed is enlarged and used as the main display area featuring information panels, oral history exhibits, a touch screen interactive exhibit on tools and techniques and a workbench with tools and objects the audience can handle. Visitors will have access to useful background information that will enable a deeper understanding and appreciation of the audiovisual show that follows. Dividing the Horse shoeing shed from the Forge area in a proof and light sound way is necessary, as projections require sound and light controlled environments.
Living Forge Space
The workshop main space is turned into a stage. A multimedia show is set around the Forge re-creating the forging process. Narration, film projections, sound and light effects, pyrotechnics, as well temperature control can be used to create an unique experience that will immerse the visitors.
The workshop main space is turned into a stage. A multimedia show is set around the Forge re-creating the forging process. Narration, film projections, sound and light effects, pyrotechnics, as well temperature control can be used to create an unique experience that will immerse the visitors.
Exhibition Graphics
Exhibition Information panels - Option I
Oral History Infostands - Option I
Exhibition Information Panels- Option II
Exhibition Information Panels- Option III
