Thames Estuary Experience

Museum of the Tames Estuary, Hawkins Brown.

A new museum planned for Southend explored the estuary as the gateway to a nation over two thousand years, as well as a region providing entertainment, food, and other resources for South East England. Exhibitions reflected the unique and changing character of the natural and built environments of the area, the hazards of sailing and working in the Estuary and the changing pleasures arrayed for visitors to the coast. Galleries variously invoked the land and seascapes of the estuary, the mysterious burial place of England’s first Christian prince, danger and conflict at sea, and the disreputable fun of sea side amusements.

Consulting for Outside Studios, I worked with designers, Southend Museum staff and architects, Hawkins\Brown, to define themes, research content, develop interpretation schemes and exhibit ideas on this varied, unique project.