Expression of interest: Development of concept designs for the and north and south quire of

St Paul’s

6th September 2010

Background to the Interpretation Project

In January 2009 the Cathedral’s Dean and Chapter approved an interpretation strategy for St Paul’s Cathedral. The strategy was informed by audience development work which identified the visitor groups that will need to be targeted by the existing and any new interpretation and also by qualitative market research which defined the key themes that will attract these visitor groups. These findings directed the interpretative planning towards a scheme that will present the most important themes in a clear and concise way to visitors in the most appropriate locations. In overview these are:

TRIFORIUM STORY OF THE BUILDING

CATHEDRAL FLOOR WORSHIP

CRYPT NATION’S

The interpretation project, established to implement the strategy, completed its first stage in summer 2010 with the opening of Oculus in the Crypt and the introduction of a free multi media guide for all visitors to the cathedral during the autumn. We now wish to progress implementation of the second stage of the project, the development and opening of the Triforium as part of a visit to St Paul’s and the introduction of two new areas of interest on the cathedral floor.

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North and south quire aisles

A number of changes have been made or are planned for the presentation and interpretation of the cathedral floor. New admissions arrangements are being prepared which will open up the vista of the to arriving visitors, and a new multi-media guide will provide interpretation of the cathedral floor without cluttering it with panels and signs. We are now planning two discreet areas which will help to interpret worship without giving the appearance of being exhibitions or displays. These comprise:

• Adapting a vestments store in the north where visitors may catch a glimpse of the vestments used during worship at the cathedral. Items on display would include the Jubilee Cope. • Refitting the sacristy in the south aisle to provide visitors with a glimpse of church plate used during worship at the cathedral.

Both would be interpreted by the multi media guide in a range of languages.

The Triforium

Wren designed parts of the Triforium to be accessed by the public, by prior arrangement, to consult books, pamphlets, sermons, music scores, archives and curios in the magnificent Library room. Much of the Cathedral’s collections are still housed and worked on at Triforium level. We now plan to open the Triforium to the public on a timed ticket basis and allow them to see not only the Library but Wren’s Great Model and the collections which reveal the history of the that have stood on this site. The key theme for the Triforium, ‘the story of the building’, is in keeping with Wren’s original intention.

Our desire is to retain the current feel of the Triforium as a ‘behind the scenes’ artefact store, enhancing the collections by introducing discrete show cases and shelving where necessary. The presentation will be object focussed and will not have the feel of an exhibition or purpose- built gallery

The key elements of the Triforium scheme are:

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• Using the presentation of objects to communicate of the story of the building. The Triforium will give visitors a chance to see real objects, beautifully presented in a classic museum style.

• Extension of the audio guide into the Triforium to provide interpretation in a range of languages.

• Newly-commissioned models depicting the Medieval cathedral and Wren’s cathedral as built

• Interpretation of the Library and its collections through displays incorporated into the stack cupboards in the Library Aisle.

• Updating of the interpretation of the Great Model to make it more accessible to the majority of visitors.

We are now looking for a partner to work with us to create a detailed concept design document for the Triforium. The starting point for this will be the interpretative strategy document for the Triforium will be sent to the designers short listed for tender.

1. Concept design to RIBA Stage D

We are seeking a designer who will assist in the development of concept designs for the north and south quire aisles and the Triforium as part of the cathedral’s project team between October 2010 and January 2011 (see Project timing).

The chosen designer will be contracted for this phase of the project only. Design to RIBA stage E will be tendered in January 2011 and the successful concept designer will be invited to tender.

The chosen designer will work alongside and advise the Cathedral’s interpretation team and project group and consult with other staff as required. St Paul’s sees the development of the concept designs as a highly collaborative process. We are not looking for a designer to come up with the approach in isolation and present it to us, we are seeking a partner who can work alongside our Architect, archivist and interpretation team to develop together the very best ways of presenting the Triforium space and the objects from the cathedral’s collection. Agreeing the concept in this way will be a time

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At the end of this process, the project team will produce two concept design reports; one summarising the developed concept for the Triforium and the other for the north and south quire aisles. The cathedral’s project team will produce these reports but the designer will be expected to contribute to the contents of these documents and in particular be directly responsible for producing the following elements for inclusion in both reports:

• Visualisations of the finished space • Exhibition design detail to RIBA stage D • Photography of proposed objects for display • Budget for implementation

The designer will be required to assign copyright of their elements of the finished concept design reports to St Paul’s Cathedral so that they may, if required, be used by other designers contracted to deliver the scheme following a tender in January 2011.

2. Submission for expression of interest in concept design

Your submission should include brief responses to the following:

1. A brief statement outlining your creative approach to the project with reference to similar projects if helpful. It is essential that this demonstrates an understanding of how to interpret a Cathedral, its mission and faith stories. Equally essential is experience and expertise in developing artefact -based exhibits. The Triforium displays will be led by the objects in the cathedral’s collection and will not be primarily interpretation based.

2. Evidence of an established track record of interpretation at major heritage sites and an understanding of the complexities of the audiences attracted by a Cathedral.

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3. Examples of or extracts from concept documents produced. These should demonstrate experience of working within existing historic spaces and of object display.

4. Evidence of flexibility of approach and positive client relationships. Because the development of the concepts will be done through close collaboration with the St Paul’s team, the chosen designer will need to show experience and aptitude for developing ideas as part of a team and of excellent verbal and written communication skills. We are not necessarily looking for a company: a skilled and well-resourced individual or small team will be considered.

5. Confirmation of the lead designer. A single point of contact will be vital to the level of communication and collaboration that we are seeking. The proposed design lead should lead the presentation at interview, demonstrate the skills we are seeking and confirm their availability October 2010 to January 2011 inclusive.

6. CVs for all the team members proposed.

7. Confirmation that you can meet the deadlines below and the interview date on 12th October.

If your expression of interest is successful, you will be asked to develop your approach in more detail, including proposed design fees. You may then be invited to present to the project team at the cathedral on Wednesday 12th October 2010.

Concept design project timing

6 Sept 2010 Expression of interest issued 20 Sept 2010 Expressions of interest returned to St Paul’s

22 Sept 2010 Shortlisted designers asked to submit more detail on approach including fees.

30 Sept 2010 Additional information returned to the cathedral

6 Oct 2010 Invitations to attend presentations at the cathedral issued.

12 Oct 2010 Interviews at St Paul’s Cathedral.

20 Oct 2010 Appointment of designer approved by Chapter

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20 Oct 2010 Project Group meeting with contractor present (2pm)

Oct 2010 – Jan 2011 Attend monthly project and weekly design meetings

15 Dec 2010 Concept documents approved by Project Group

12 Jan 2011 Concept documents to Dean and Chapter for approval

1 Feb 2011 Concept documents to FAC for approval

Return of expression of interest

Please reply electronically by 20th September 2010 to Helen Cornell, Interpretation Development Officer at [email protected] for circulation to the St Paul’s team. Any queries or questions may be directed to the Interpretation Consultant, Anne Fletcher at [email protected] or to Helen Cornell, Interpretation Development Officer at [email protected]

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