Eighteen years after our first fit-out of the Hunterian Museum, BECK London were honoured to deliver its second transformation as part of a major redevelopment. The museum, which showcases over 3,500 specimens and objects, traces the history of surgery from ancient times to the present day.

Named after 18th-century surgeon John Hunter, the museum’s origins date back to 1813, when his collection was first displayed at Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

We took the museum from an empty shell to a fully realised exhibition space. The project involved the complete fit-out of ten museum rooms and a shop, requiring flooring, ceilings, partitions, specialist joinery, custom models, lighting, graphics, and AV hardware integration. Over 5,000 bespoke graphic elements—including artefact labels, backlit panels, and floor graphics—were produced using advanced printing techniques.

With conservation at the forefront, Oddy testing was conducted on all materials to prevent harmful off-gassing that could damage artefacts. As the Royal College of Surgeons remained fully operational throughout the project, meticulous planning ensured minimal disruption, with strict noise controls, dust containment, and carefully coordinated logistics.

This 19-month project delivers a modern, immersive visitor experience for the first time in the museum’s history. Cutting-edge AV technology enhances expert craftsmanship, ensuring John Hunter’s legacy continues to educate and inspire future generations. We were proud to collaborate with the project team in bringing this vision to life.

Images courtesy of: Hufton+Crow