Poole Museum: An Immersive Voyage into the Maritime History of Poole, UK

ZMMA has transformed a complex of medieval buildings, with additions from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, into an accessible, state-of-the-art cultural institution. Part of the revitalization of Poole’s historic waterfront, the renovation of Poole Museum aims to better present the city’s rich maritime archaeological heritage.

Working with the museum’s curatorial team, BCP Council, Historic England, Arts Council England, and the local community, ZMMA reimagined the historic structures and the presentation of the museum’s collections to create an integrated visitor experience across six floors, with new galleries for both permanent and temporary exhibitions. With significant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, the project also involved the restoration of the adjacent Grade I–listed inn and merchant’s house, Scaplen’s Court.

Poole Museum: A sustainable, accessible institution

The renovation began with the selective removal of mezzanines, stairs, partitions, and finishes added in the late 20th century to expose the building’s historic fabric. This process involved extensive restoration of the stone and timber structures, including the painstaking conservation of the medieval stone walls of the Town Cellars. Re-roofing, installing new windows and solar panels, and adding breathable lambswool and wood fiber insulation reduced operational energy by 25%.

Achieving sustainability dictated every aspect of the project. The exhibition design centers on low-impact strategies, using recycled and recyclable materials, low-carbon components, and sustainable construction techniques, with a preference for timber. The architects carried out a broad decarbonization program across the buildings by opting for eco-materials that would strengthen the historic fabric.

As both architect and exhibition designer, ZMMA developed permanent contextual displays in which installations, exhibits in cases, and graphics interweave with the historic architectural structures. This approach has created an immersive experience with layered narratives that encourage exploration and discovery. To visually connect the exhibition experience, architecture, and the city of Poole, the architects opened new sightlines from the galleries toward the harbor, offering views of the waterfront’s urban landscape and the Purbeck coastline.

By redesigning the surrounding public spaces, ZMMA created a new campus that links the museum and Scaplen’s Court, giving greater prominence to both and contributing to the broader revival of the historic High Street and Quay. The revitalized museum, its exhibits, and outdoor spaces welcome visitors with new stairs and elevators, ensuring full accessibility to all exhibition, education, and event areas.

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An immersive experience of sea and identity

The exhibition design prioritizes the open and interactive display of exhibits. Numerous tactile installations, exploratory experiences, and interactive features invite participation and learning across all ages. The exhibition design language is simple and clear, with an elegant palette that echoes the architecture and materials of the buildings and the handcrafted nature of the collection. The visitor experience begins in the six-story grain warehouse. Built in the 18th-century and Grade II listed, it houses Harbour Life, a light-filled gallery that presents a sweeping panorama of exhibits against a backdrop of marine photography. The upper galleries connect via a sculptural three-story void that reveals the timber structure of the building, itself reminiscent of a ship.

Shipwreck!, the largest of the new galleries, presents Poole’s maritime archaeology collections. Occupying centerstage is a rare and well-preserved 10 m Iron Age log boat, along with a sculptural series of medieval ship timbers. All the exhibits are on open display in the fully restored Grade I–listed medieval Wool Hall.

In the Setting Sail gallery, the exhibits trace the history of Poole’s international maritime trade, its links with Newfoundland, the Beothuk, the slave trade, and the lives of sailors on board ship. Poole Creates! then highlights the city’s unique pottery tradition and its outstanding art collection.

The reconfigured campus doubles the amount of public space. Besides the exhibition galleries, the project included learning spaces, event halls, new staff areas, accessible archives, a reading room, a café, and a museum store.

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