ABSTRACT
The success of museums and galleries is measured by the numbers of visitors they attract. This depends on the collections as much as on the quality of the building itself. But while the iconic role of architecture in attracting a large audience is effectively understood, there is little acknowledgement of the impact of the layout on the character of the visit. This chapter addresses the ways in which the spatial characteristics affect the patterns of movement and the transmission of the educational message. It presents four museum studies undertaken as part of research and consultancy work. Using computer modelling techniques and detailed observation surveys of visitors’ flows these studies analyse and predict the use patterns of existing spaces and new development plans. The aim is to provide design solutions that can assist museum managers and designers in improving the spatial, social and economic sustainability of museums and galleries.
