Images | Plans for transformation of Victorian-era Paisley Museum

Image: AL_A

Plans for the £42m transformation of the Victorian-era Paisley Museum in Renfrewshire, including a red glazed entrance and a contemporary façade have been submitted to the local authorities.

Architect AL_A, led by Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete, has worked up the plans, which involve the construction of a new wing to the west of the existing building to provide step-free access through the museum up to the Coats Observatory.

Image: AL_A

The original museum and library buildings will also be renovated during the project, which is expected to be completed by 2022.

Enabling works contractor Interserve has been on site since early this year, ahead of construction work commencing in 2020. Interserve has, among other things, been removing fixtures and fittings (apart from those which are listed), as well as removing old electrical, heating and mechanical equipment and wiring. In May, the 1970s and 1950s extensions to the museum were demolished.

Image: AL_A

The project is expected to double the area for the display of the museum’s collection, while visitor numbers are expected to quadruple to 125,000 a year.