As London's Geffrye Museum sets to reopen as the Museum of the Home for summer 2020, director Sonia Solicari explains why she thinks the history of interiors is "absolutely relevant" in contemporary society.
After receiving an £18.1 million capital development fund, the Geffrye Museum in east London's Hoxton neighbourhood will reopen its doors in 2020 as the Museum of the Home.
Director Sonia Solicari says that the museum ? which will present domestic artefacts that date from 1600 to the present day ? is opening at an opportune moment.
"The past has got quite a lot to offer in terms of contemporary debates," Solicari told Dezeen in an exclusive interview.
"There's lots of people discussing climate change, and rightly so ? but actually, more and more people are looking to the past for more eco-friendly, sustainable solutions to everything from cleaning products to furniture," she continued. "And it's wonderful that we've got history to draw upon in terms of our collections and our expertise, because I think that is what adds richness to some debates."
Redesign will "bring more of museum into public use"
History is also playing a key role in the architectural redevelopment of the heritage-listed museum building, which comprises a series of 300-year-old almshouses ? charitable residences originally built to accommodate poor or vulnerable members of the community.
Camden-based practice Wright & Wright Architects is carrying...