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Art on Screen

Railway Marvels

WonderLab Gallery at the National Railway Museum



The National Railway Museum in York has unveiled its largest new gallery in over ten years, known as WonderLab: The Bramall Gallery, as part of its ongoing Vision 2025 project aimed at transforming the museum into a global engineering hub. Housed within a former workshop on the museum's grounds, this gallery was designed with children aged seven to fourteen in mind. The project enlisted the help of various designers and artists, including London-based design studio LucienneRoberts+, which won the commission by submitting a poem expressing their team's passion for railways.


LucienneRoberts+ took a unique approach to their design work, drawing inspiration from the physical aspects of the project. They worked closely with architect and exhibition designer De Matos Ryan's vision, aiming to enhance the industrial character of the space and incorporate production processes that mirrored 3D elements. Their design focused on cultivating an inquisitive, iterative, and prototype-based approach to the 2D design and production.




One of the key features of the gallery is the floor, which became a central point of interaction. Painted markings were added to the floor, serving not only to differentiate areas but also to prompt specific behaviors. These markings, reminiscent of playground designs, featured custom shapes and connectors that extended from the floor to the walls, enhancing the overall experience.


Throughout the gallery, eye-catching supergraphics were strategically placed, drawing inspiration from network maps and turning circles. These supergraphics served as both exhibit highlights and wayfinding elements, effectively guiding visitors to their intended destinations.


The color scheme played a significant role in the gallery's design, with a primary palette of black, white, and sage green being used in contrast to pops of fluorescent orange and safety yellow. These vibrant accents were inspired by the traditional colors used in signage, buttons, and levers found in the original workshop.




To emphasize accessibility, inclusion, and representation, LucienneRoberts+ commissioned Russian artist Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva to create 35 diverse images, ranging from informative to conceptual, for the space. These 2D designs collectively create an educational experience that encourages individual discovery as a valuable method of learning, rather than relying on a prescriptive approach.


Reflecting on the project, the studio described it as "a voyage of discovery" for both themselves and the young minds it aims to engage and challenge. WonderLab: The Bramall Gallery at the National Railway Museum offers a captivating exploration of railways, combining art and engineering to inspire visitors of all ages.






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