Museum Access project

In the summer of 2004, students from Stoke Damerel Community College worked with the Museum's Community Outreach Team to redesign the entrance to the Museum’s lift.

240 pupils from Year 9 visited the Museum and looked at ways to improve it. They also took part in disability equality training, as part of their Citizenship syllabus.

The students worked across eight different areas – directors, architects, exhibitions, marketing, reporters, researchers and web designers – to produce a number of designs with associated signage and promotional leaflets. At all times they had to ensure their designs came within a set budget, met the needs of the Museum and, most importantly, were accessible for visitors.

They published their ideas on a special website and asked the rest of the school and the local community to vote for their favourite design. The winning concept was then installed in the lobby area outside the Museum’s lift – which is the main access route into the building for those who are disabled or have mobility problems, as well as our younger visitors who come in buggies and prams!

The winning concept is called 'Looking at the World Differently' and is based on the idea that the Museum gives you access to things you cannot normally see - as well as the opportunity to look at things in more detail.

The design turns the world upside down, with grass on the ceiling, sky on the floor and huge blinds featuring images from old maps of Plymouth and places throughout the city.