Leighton House Museum

Following an £8m transformation, the Grade II listed Leighton House has reopened to the public. The former home of artist Frederick Leighton, a previous president of the Royal Academy, the building is famed for its opulent interiors, filled with art and treasures acquired by Leighton on his travels.

Architects BDP restored and adapted the historic building to include a new entrance, gallery, learning centre and café with significantly improved, step-free access throughout the museum.

The sensitive restoration has both preserved the original integrity of the house and transformed the way it is used by visitors, meeting the needs of a modern-day museum. The restoration and new additions to Leighton House sit in complete harmony with the original interiors. The use of high-quality design and materials throughout reflects the rich visual language created by Leighton. Junckers Black Oak flooring, specified for its rich, dark tones, forms a warm and tactile backdrop to several areas. David Artis, Architect Director, BDP described the design process: ‘It’s about subtle interventions that don’t etract from the overall legibility of the building.’

Junckers Approved Flooring Contractor PICA Floorings installed Black Oak Boulevard, a 185mm wide plank floor in several areas of the museum, including as treads and risers for the bespoke helical staircase spanning three flights. The staircase installation included stainless steel non-slip inserts on every tread and elsewhere the Black Oak flooring was fitted over underfloor heating which was incorporated within the subfloor after close consultation at the design stage. In addition, PICA Floorings made bespoke access hatches required by the museum to enable moving artworks from one area to another. To ensure minimal waste during the installation process, materials were delivered to site in stages.

Restoring and adapting existing buildings forms an important part of designing and building in a more sustainable way. By upgrading older properties and making them net zero carbon ready, historic and heritage buildings are safeguarded and ensured a sustainable future. Junckers solid hardwood flooring, a material which is naturally low in embodied carbon, forms an integral part of the project with its proven long lifespan. Expected to last well over 60 years, the floor forms part of the design to future-proof the museum.

The importance of high ethical standards is often a key objective for materials sourcing, particularly for publicly funded projects. BDP was able to rely on Junckers’ sustainably sourced and manufactured wood flooring complete with sustainability credentials including EPDs, FSC®, PEFC and Indoor Climate certification as well as a BRE Green Guide rating of A+.

Photography by Dirk Lindner