Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum, established in 1683, is the oldest museum in Britain. The new building is attached to the rear of the Greek revival building by Charles Robert Cockerell, built in 1845 as The University Galleries. The Ashmolean Museum relocated its collection to the extended University Galleries in 1894 and in 1908 combined to become The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, under the keepership of the renowned archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.Client
Ashmolean Museum
Location
Oxford, UK
Size
10,000m²
Value
£61m
Dates
1999–2009
The transformation of the Ashmolean Museum reimagined Britain's oldest public museum for the twenty-first century, creating a world-class cultural institution while respecting the legacy of one of Oxford's most significant historic buildings. The project combined the sensitive adaptation of Charles Robert Cockerell's Grade I listed museum with a major contemporary extension, doubling the size of the museum and fundamentally transforming the visitor experience.
Expanding a World-Class Museum
Designed to accommodate one of the world's most important collections of art and archaeology, the new building introduced 9,000m² of additional accommodation, doubling gallery space and creating new education facilities, conservation studios, archive storage, visitor amenities and a new public entrance from St Giles. The extension resolved decades of piecemeal additions, establishing a clear organisational structure that unified the museum around Cockerell's original planning principles and created an intuitive sequence of galleries for visitors.
Bringing Daylight into the Heart of the Museum
Natural light became a defining architectural element. Large rooflights and glazed stair halls draw daylight deep into the building through a series of interconnected double-height galleries, creating calm, legible spaces that encourage exploration while enhancing the display of the collections. A rooftop café overlooking Oxford's historic skyline further strengthens the museum's relationship with the city.
Technical Innovation and Environmental Performance
Environmental performance was integral to the design. Working within the height constraints of the surrounding listed buildings, an innovative 'fat wall' servicing strategy integrated ventilation, environmental control, security and electrical services within the walls rather than suspended ceilings. This maximised gallery proportions while delivering low-energy environmental conditions capable of meeting the demanding conservation standards required for internationally significant collections.
Unlocking the Potential of a Historic Institution
The project demonstrated how contemporary architecture can unlock the potential of historic institutions through careful planning, technical innovation and long-term stewardship. By doubling display space, improving accessibility and creating world-class learning, conservation and visitor facilities, the Ashmolean established a flexible platform for future exhibitions, research and public engagement while preserving the architectural integrity of one of Britain's most important museums.
Lasting Impact and International Recognition
Following its reopening in 2009, the Ashmolean exceeded expectations, attracting more than one million visitors annually and establishing itself as one of Europe's leading museums. The project received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Art Fund Museum of the Year, the European Museum Academy Micheletti Award, a RIBA Award and the People's Choice Award for the Stirling Prize.
Awards
Architecture Today, Buildings That Stood the Test of Time
Art Fund Museum of the Year
European Museum Academy Micheletti Award
Apollo Magazine Exhibition of the Year
Peoples choice, Stirling Prize
RIBA Award
Civic Trust Awards
Team
Architect: Rick Mather Architects (Now MICA)
Client: University of Oxford / Ashmolean
Museum of Art & Archaeology
Contractor: BAM Construct UK
Structural engineer: Dewhurst Macfarlane & Partners
Services engineer: Atelier Ten
Exhibition design: Metaphor
Quantity surveyor: Gardiner & Theobald
Access consultant: David Bonnett Associates
Acoustics consultant: Sandy Brown Associates
Lighting: Kevin Shaw Lighting Design
Project management: MACE
“It should be said at once that the new Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is architecture of a high order. Its central achievement has been to accommodate an ambitious intellectual and technical programme within an alarming set of constraints. This is a triumph of collaboration.”
– Niall Hobhouse
Building Design, Cultures Crossed, 29 Oct 09
“A dazzling yet subtle box of tricks and a tour de force of architectural ingenuity and restraint, defined by clear circulation and details such as the beautiful curved staircase. A world-class building.”
– AJ reporting on RIBA Awards
