MUSEUM EXHIBITION DESIGN • GRAPHIC DESIGN • INTERPRETIVE PLANNING • DESIGN & BUILD

Exeter Underground Passages Heritage Centre Project I Open Oct 2007

Highly commended in the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence, 2008: Project on a Limited Budget category

Following the production of a design and interpretation plan for a new heritage centre linked to Exeter’s impressive Princesshay retail development, RFA was appointed as design-and-build contractor to bring the project to fruition. 

Themes include the story of the Passages (built in medieval times to carry fresh water to the city), the history of water in Exeter, medieval life in the city, the archaeology of the Princesshay development (including finds from the recent excavations), and interactive displays showing the historic technologies harnessed to create this phenomenon. 

Theatrical techniques are used for dramatic effect and interactive displays utilise hi- and low-tech solutions: to experience a flight through the Passages; to show how water was circulated around the city (including up hills); and to gain an authentic ‘feel’ of the Passages before going in.