May 22 2018

London-based architecture practice AL_A have been chosen by Renfrewshire Council to lead the transformation of Paisley Museum, a jewel in the town’s cultural quarter





Paisley lost out in its bid to become the UK City of Culture 2021 but is pressing ahead with many of its flagship schemes, selecting a practice with international recognition in a sign of its new-found confidence.





A contemporary addition is planned for the Victorian landmark; including a new entrance, café, shop and landscaping. Significant upgrades to four other buildings, including the Coats Observatory, are also planned together with a total reconfiguration of internal spaces.





Practice founder Amanda Levete said: “This is one of the most radical briefs I have read - it triggered in us a desire to tell the untold history of Paisley and search for a narrative thread that will drive the design. The project is bigger than the building itself and I am excited to re-imagine the relationship between the street and museum.





"This is not only about finding the way to best show the museum's collection, it's also about showing the world how an ambitious cultural project can have a profound impact on a community and its identity.”





The £42m initiative is the first commission north of the border for the practice and will necessitate the institution closing the doors this autumn, not to re-open until 2022.





Landscape architects Gross Max and engineers Arup round out the design team with conservation consultants Giles Quarme.