TORRE ABBEY, TORQUAY
RFA has recently (June 2010) been appointed to undertake the prestigious design and installation project “to transform Torre Abbey into a high-quality heritage attraction”.
Torre Abbey is Torquay’s most historic building and the most complete medieval monastery to survive in Devon. Later converted to a country mansion, the abbey has a rich history and is nowadays home to one of the finest art collections in the region.
Major elements of the (Phase 2) project include the installation of meaningful interpretation and signage throughout the site, the effective display of rich art collections in furnished rooms and flexible gallery spaces, and the provision of first-class educational facilities.
Torre Abbey will benefit from the communication of key interpretive strands that will help to unify all the different and complex elements across the site – both indoor and outdoor. These interpretive threads will be people focused and will weave together the many life stories of the residents and what life was like in the medieval abbey. A unifying and unique strand is the story of Catholicism at Torre Abbey over the last 800 years, linking local, regional and national events. Furthermore, the Abbey is an archaeological site of national significance and this will be reflected in the interpretive approach.