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National Trust

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum

Lacock Abbey was once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative. Sarner was commissioned to design and install a new interactive exhibition in time for the 175th anniversary of the announcement of Fox Talbot’s photographic process. The exhibition explores the Victorian inventor's home life, family and his pioneering achievements in photography which helped change the way we see the world today. The project has been a great success, providing visitors with a good balance of history and interactivity, suitable for all the family.

Location
Wiltshire, UK
Services
- Story, Research & Interpretation - Concept Design & Visualisation - Interior Design - Lighting, Audio, Video, Network Design - Set and Staging Design - Graphics - Lighting - Audiovisual - Theming - Art Direction
Awards
TripAdvisor - Travellers’ Choice
Links

National Trust: Lacock Abbey
Fox Talbot Museum

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Client's brief

The Client's brief to Sarner was to tell the story of Fox Talbot, touching on his personal life and scientific endeavours alike via a fascinating narrated tour through his home. The existing exhibition was in need of a refresh which would strengthen the Abbey’s position as a much-loved historical attraction in South West England.

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Our solution

Sarner interpreted the brief with its usual visionary approach, based on storytelling, historical rigour, and technical flair. Great attention was put into creating a unique offer without compromising the identity of the place. The result is a beautifully balanced experience: immersive and emotive without being shouty, capable of attracting new audiences without alienating a more traditional demographic. In updating the museum, Sarner made the current offering more family friendly, hands on and interactive. Using a mixture of creative techniques interspersed with interactive elements, Sarner worked to bring the story of this Victorian inventor to life following through themes of invention, light, optics and photography.

Features

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A compelling start

From the onset, our approach aimed at integrating a range of media: a balanced array of large graphics, scenic elements and object displays leads the visitors in. A simple hands on interactive makes it obvious to visitors of all ages that more than a traditional exhibition awaits inside.
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Integration within existing displays

Parts of the museum needed light and informative displays integrated with the existing architecture and furnishings. We opted for a gentle approach that minimised the impact on exiting artifacts while adding a lively and informative presence to the spaces.
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Immersive Spaces

Moving into the heart of the museum, a few rooms are turned into emotionally charged spaces, immersing the viewer in the life of Fox Talbot. Discreet projections and gobo lighting makes one appreciate how the inventor may have felt while perfecting his technique over days and nights of intense intellectual work.
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Subtle displays

In some areas, e.g. the Talbot’s family dining room, we devised displays based on an evocative use of objects and copy. At a closer look, a dining table set for a grand meal reveals details about Victorian habits and traditions.
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Outdoors interactivity

The museum is situated in the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire, which visitors are encouraged to explore. We have dispersed information and interactives in the Abbey’s grounds, offering further opportunities to learn about and engage with the stories of this special place.

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