The Shackleton Experience

OVERVIEW

The Shackleton Experience is a multi-level heritage attraction set within a historic building, bringing to life the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and one of the most remarkable chapters in exploration history. The building welcomes visitors across several floors and rooms, combining exhibition spaces, interpretation areas, and circulation routes that must remain clear, intuitive, and respectful of the site’s character.

As a heritage building with a complex internal layout, safe and effective guidance is critical in the event of an emergency. Visitors may be unfamiliar with the space, moving between floors and rooms while engaging with immersive displays. Any emergency lighting solution must provide clear direction and reassurance without detracting from the historic fabric of the building or the atmosphere of the exhibitions.

THE SOLUTION

A tailored emergency lighting scheme was developed to suit the building’s layout and historic context. British manufactured luminaires were selected for their sustainability, refined appearance, and ability to integrate quietly within sensitive interiors.

Lighting forms and finishes were chosen to complement the surrounding architecture rather than draw attention to themselves. This ensures exhibitions and storytelling remain the focus during normal operation, while delivering clear and compliant guidance when required.

Philip Payne’s emergency lighting solutions prioritise visitor safety while remaining sympathetic to the building and the Shackleton story, with a considered approach to integrating lighting elements that align naturally with the architecture.

This design-led approach reflects experience gained across other historic and culturally significant buildings, including the Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford, Birmingham Town Hall, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Natural History Museum in London. Each project required a careful balance between compliance, clarity, and respect for place.

OUTCOME

The result is an effective emergency lighting solution that enhances visitor safety while preserving the character and atmosphere of the Shackleton Experience. Guidance is present when needed, yet unobtrusive at all other times, supporting regulatory requirements while maintaining the quality of the visitor journey.

The project illustrates how thoughtful emergency lighting can play a vital but understated role in heritage and cultural settings, where history, architecture, and safety must work together.